Laparoscopic repair of penetrating splenic injury.

Historically, all splenic injuries were treated with splenectomy. In recent decades, however, there has been a trend toward splenic conservation methods in an attempt to preserve immunologic functions. Although cases of splenic conservation in the setting of penetrating injuries exist in the literature, this method of management is more commonly attempted in blunt traumas. When presented with penetrating splenic trauma, surgeons generally still proceed directly to exploratory laparotomy with splenectomy. Splenic injuries are rarely repaired with splenorrhaphy due to surgeon inexperience and concern for reoperation. We conclude from this case that when presented with a penetrating splenic trauma in a hemodynamically stable patient, management by laparoscopic exploration with splenorrhaphy can be safe and effective.