Ruptured Splean??

Question

He got hit in the stomach with a hockey puck, high school age, passed out a few hours later

He went to the hospital and they told him something about his splean, he is still there and they told him he must stay for a few days b/c he had some internal bleading

what is this??

Answer 1

The spleen is one of the body's lesser known organs. It's located just under the left side of the diaphragm, under the ribs, and is shaped somewhat like a loose fist.

The spleen's major role is as a filter against foreign organisms that infect the bloodstream, and removing old red bloods cells and recycling them. It also plays a handful of minor roles. During a baby's time in the womb, it manufactures red blood cells, a role that's taken over by bone marrow after the birth. It can also act as a reservoir for blood.

Causes
The spleen's vulnerable location means it's at risk of injury. A severe blow to the stomach area can crush the spleen, tearing its covering and the tissue inside it.

A ruptured spleen is the most common serious complication of an abdominal injury and may occur as a consequence of road traffic accidents, sports injuries and violent, physical attacks.

Symptoms
The abdomen usually feels tender and painful when the spleen ruptures. Blood leaks out into the abdomen, causing irritation with subsequent tenderness and pain. Classically, a patient with a ruptured spleen describes feeling left shoulder-tip pain.

If the leak of blood is gradual, symptoms may not occur until the blood supply to the body is diminished. This will result in low blood pressure and light-headedness, blurred vision, confusion and loss of consciousness, as the oxygen supply to the heart and brain is affected.

Treatment
Untreated, a ruptured spleen can result in death, so it requires urgent medical and surgical treatment. Immediate blood transfusions are given to maintain an adequate blood supply to the organs of the body, and emergency surgery is performed to stop the leak of blood.

Sometimes, if the rupture is only small, it's possible for the surgeon to repair the spleen. However, usually the entire spleen needs to be removed in an operation called a splenectomy.


GL!

'-)

Answer 2

Splenic rupture generally results from blunt abdominal trauma.
Rupture of the capsule of the spleen, an organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, is a potential catastrophe that requires immediate medical and surgical attention.
Please see the web pages for more details on Ruptured spleen (Splenic rupture) and Spleen removal.

Answer 3

The docs want to make sure that the bleeding is under control or he could bleed to death. Some injuries take time to show their full effect. He is in the right place and should listen to his doctors.