Question:
Help with Splenic Injury

I would like to know if anyone has had a postop complication from splenic injury. I know it is rare but any help I can get on the subject would be appreciated. I had open RNY on 2/25/99 w/gallbladder removal. I had a 2nd surgery one week after the initial surgery to correct a nick or leak in my intestine. I also developed a very large hematoma on my spleen that has been managed conservatively since the risk of removing the spleen was too great with the peritonitis I developed from the leak or nick. We attempted to drain the hematoma while I was in the hospital but it was not successful. Since that time we have tried to let my body reabsorp it on its' own. Here are results of CT scans as to the size. 1 month after surgery it was 13 x 6.5 x 16 cm. 2 months it was 11 x 6cm. 4 months it was 7.7 x 4.5 8 months it was 4.5 11 months it was 4 cm. It seemed to be shrinking at a good rate until the 11 month scan and they now refer to it as a cyst. I am experiencing some pain from it and wondering what we can do to get it resolved. It has been a year now and it just seems like it should be gone by now. Does this seem like a long time for this? Any input or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.    — Tena B. (posted on February 5, 2000)

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