RADIOFREQUENCY HAEMOSTASIS AS AN OPTION FOR ORGAN PRESERVATION IN SPLENIC TRAUMA

Rita CAMARNEIRO; António Pedro GOMES; Vítor NUNES

doi:10.34635/rpc.983

Rita CAMARNEIRO Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro Hospitalar do Oeste – Hospital das Caldas da Rainha, Caldas da Rainha, Portugal
António Pedro GOMES Departamento de Cirurgia do Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal
Vítor NUNES Departamento de Cirurgia do Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal

Abstract

Introduction: The treatment of splenic trauma has undergone several changes in recent years. Mortality occurs due to hypovolemic shock, which is sometimes due to delay in treatment. Recently, attempts have been made to preserve the organ being splenectomy preferred for patients with failure of conservative approach or with haemodynamic instability at presentation. Radiofrequency is a modality that is gaining importance in the treatment of splenic trauma. This manuscript presents the case of a patient, with splenic trauma, submitted to splenic haemostasis by radiofrequency, with organ preservation.

Case report: Young woman, victim of a road accident, which resulted in thoracic and abdominal trauma (splenic – grade IV American Association for Surgery Trauma). Initially, given the patient haemodynamic stability, an expectant attitude was chosen. However, due to clinical and analytical aggravation, it was necessary to proceed to a surgical intervention. Splenic haemostasis was performed using radiofrequency.

Discussion / Conclusion: When selecting the approach to be followed in splenic trauma, it is important to consider the hemodynamic stability of the patient, the results of complementary diagnostic tests and the resources available. Organ preservation is currently the gold standard, and several therapeutic modalities are available that allow this objective. Radiofrequency has an already known haemostatic effect and although it is not yet widely used in the management of splenic trauma, it has been shown to be safe and effective, facilitating spleen preservation.

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