Splenectomy incidental to iatrogenic trauma

1. 1. Incidental splenectomy associated with iatrogenic trauma to the spleen is more common than is generally appreciated and occurred in 26 per cent of 925 splenectomies in this series. 2. 2. This indication for splenectomy has received little direct attention and scant recognition in the literature. 3. 3. Documentation of iatrogenic splenic injury as a significant complication should alert surgeons to this problem. 4. 4. A certain percentage of splenic injuries is unavoidable. 5. 5. Splenectomy remains the treatment of choice for any splenic injury. 6. 6. We believe that incidental splenectomy for iatrogenic trauma is, for the most part, a procedure without significant sequelae.