Treatment of a Spleen Rupture
The spleen is a soft tissue organ underneath the bottom of the left rib cage. Its function, as a member of the immune system, is to process bacteria and viruses, removing them from the body. The spleen has a large amount of blood flow. If the spleen is ruptured, this blood flow may leak into the abdominal cavity. This internal bleeding could be fatal if not treated quickly. Some of the causes of a spleen rupture include:
- A penetrating injury of the abdominal cavity that ruptures the spleen directly.
- A blunt abdominal injury suffered in a motor vehicle collision.
- Involvement in physical assault.
- A significant injury sustained while playing contact sports.
If someone suffers a spleen rupture, this is a medical emergency. It is essential for people to understand the treatment of a splenic rupture.
Emergency Management of a Spleen Rupture
One of the most common ways that people can sustain a spleen rupture is through an auto accident. Some of the signs and symptoms of a spleen rupture include intense abdominal pain, bruising of the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, and feeling faint or dizzy. A spleen rupture is typically diagnosed on imaging. Once this diagnosis is confirmed, some of the first steps and treatment include:
- Placing an IV and giving intravenous fluids to support blood pressure.
- Medications for pain control, which could include narcotics or opiates.
- Providing blood transfusions to replace blood loss.
These are all temporary measures to treat the symptoms. To correct a spleen rupture, surgical repair is needed.
Surgical Repair of a Spleen Rupture
The doctor is likely going to call a surgeon to repair the spleen. Some of the steps involved in the repair of a spleen rupture include:
- The patient will be put to sleep using anesthesia and taken to the operating room.
- An experienced surgeon will open up the abdomen to look at the spleen.
- If the spleen can be repaired, the multiple lacerations will be closed.
- If the surgeon feels that the spleen cannot be saved, it will be removed.
- All sources of bleeding will be stopped before surgical closure.
It will take a while for someone to recover from this severe injury.
Watch YouTube Video: Spleen Pain Symptoms. The video below provides more information on recognizing the symptoms of a ruptured or injured spleen.
Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer
A spleen rupture is a surgical emergency. Emergencies can place a family under a lot of stress. It is crucial for families to ask for help from a personal injury lawyer in Redding. Some of the benefits of working with an experienced injury lawyer include guidance during a difficult situation, assistance with pursuing damages, and with the recovery process. Reach out to a Redding personal injury lawyer today. You could be entitled to a substantial award.
Redding Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Redding Personal Injury Lawyer. A spleen rupture is a medical and surgical emergency that could lead to fatal internal bleeding. If you or a family member has required emergency surgery following a motor vehicle accident, please give me a call at (800) 404-5400 or (530) 392-9400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and of the Top One Percent, a National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
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