Blunt transection of the pancrease treated by distal pancreatectomy, splenic salvage and hyperalimentation. Four cases and review of the literature.

The increasing awareness among surgeons of overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis has led to new and innovative procedures to save the spleen. In pancreatic transection injuries (Type II)26 the classical treatment has been distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. The opportunity to treat several patients with pancreatic transections sustained during blunt abdominal trauma lead to the review of the literature on the subject. Particular attention was paid to treatment of these injuries during distal pancreatectomy with splenic salvage, appropriate drainage, and hyperalimentation. Associated complications were likewise investigated and reviewed.