A Survey of EAST Member Practices in Blunt Splenic Injury: A Description of Current Trends and Opportunities for Improvement

Abstract

Despite the lack of evidence-based guidelines, many in-hospital and follow-up practices were reasonably consistent. However, some important contradictions were noted (such as monitoring very low risk patients and not intervening in patients with contrast blush). Activity restrictions were usually based on clinical judgment supplemented by CT at the highest grades of injury. Lack of evidence-based guidelines and high reliance on clinical judgment underscore the need for a well-designed prospective study to define optimal management and follow-up.