Comparison of outcomes of proximal versus distal and combined splenic artery embolization in the management of blunt splenic injury: a report of 202 cases from a single trauma center

Background: To compare the outcomes of blunt splenic injuries (BSI) managed with proximal (P) versus distal (D) versus combined (C) splenic artery embolization (SAE).

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with BSI who demonstrated vascular injuries on angiograms and were managed with SAE between 2001 and 2015. The success rate and major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ III) were compared between the P, D, and C embolizations.

Results: In total, 202 patients were enrolled (P, n = 64, 31.7%; D, n = 84, 41.6%; C, n = 54, 26.7%). The median injury severity score was 25. The median times from injury to SAE were 8.3, 7.0, and 6.6 h for the P, D, and C embolization, respectively. The overall haemostasis success rates were 92.6%, 93.8%, 88.1%, and 98.1% in the P, D, and C embolizations, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.079). Additionally, the outcomes were not significantly different between the different types of vascular injuries on angiograms or the materials used in the location of embolization. Splenic abscess occurred in six patients (P, n = 0; D, n = 5; C, n = 1), although it occurred more commonly in those who underwent D embolization with no significant difference (p = 0.092).

Conclusions: The success rate and major complications of SAE were not significantly different regardless of the location of embolization. The different types of vascular injuries on angiograms and agents used in different embolization locations also did not affect the outcomes.