Nonpenetrating Injuries of Abdomen Causing Rupture of Spleen

ONE HUNDRED patients with nonpenetrating abdominal injury resulting in rupture of the spleen were encountered in the teaching hospitals of the University of Alberta Medical School in a period of nine years, 1955 to 1963, inclusive. During the same period penetrating injury due to gunshot wounds and stabbing caused splenic damage on only three occasions, making a percentage of penetrating compared with nonpenetrating of only 2.9. Calamel et al1from Denver report five penetrating injuries out of 41 cases for a percentage of 12.1. Byrne2of Los Angeles reports 25 of 101 cases for a percentage of 25.0, while Terry et al3report 48 of 100 cases (48.0%) in Houston. Etiology In the 100 patients with nonpenetrating injury resulting in splenic rupture, a blow accounted for 18. A fall on the ice or from a fence, ladder, or a horse, accounted for 24. The automobile was the