A modified Federle score is superior to injury grade in predicting the need for splenectomy in patients with isolated blunt splenic trauma.

BACKGROUND

This study assessed whether there is a correlation between the grade of splenic injury and the semiquantitative assessment of the amount of the hemoperitoneum (HP) by a modified Federle score (mFS), and which of the 2 factors is more predictive of the need for intervention in adult patients with isolated blunt splenic injury (iBSI).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of patients admitted (1/1/2019-12/31/2022) with iBSI. Continuous data are presented as means ± standard deviation and non-parametric data as frequencies with percentages. A test-retest analysis for intra- and inter-class reliability of HP assessment was done in a 10-patient subgroup.

RESULTS

Among the 62 patients, 47 (75.8%) were managed nonoperatively (23 observation, 24 splenic artery embolization [SAE]), and 15 underwent splenectomy. The grade of splenic injury and mFS scores were 3.6 ± 1.3 and 4.1 ± 1.9, respectively. The 22 patients who underwent SAE were more severely injured in terms of grade of splenic injury (4.0 ± 1.2 vs 2.6 ± 1.1), amount of HP by mFS (4.1 ± 1.8 vs 3.1 ± 1.7) and ISS (21 ± 11 vs 15 ± 12) compared to the observed patients (P < .05). Mortality was 8%. SAE and splenectomy groups differed only by the quantity of HP (4.1 ± 1.8 vs 5.5 ± 1.3). While there was a correlation between AAST grade and mFS, only mFS was predictive of splenectomy.

CONCLUSION

The quantity of HP as assessed by mFS may be more predictive than the grade of splenic injury regarding the need for splenectomy in patients with iBSI.