Spleen Injury After Car Accident

Internal injuries suffered in a car accident can quickly turn into a life-threatening condition if they are not treated in a timely manner.

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Location and Purpose of the Spleen

The spleen’s main function is to purify and filter the blood. It also clears out damaged or worn-out red blood cells (RBCs) and microbes from the bloodstream. The spleen is a vital component of the immune system and is responsible for producing white blood cells (WBCs), which produce antibodies and fight infections.

The spleen is located on the left side of the abdomen underneath the ribcage. If you experience pain in this area after suffering a trauma in a car accident, it might be due to a spleen injury.

Spleen injuries are normally caused by abdominal trauma, which can occur as a result of car accidents, pedestrian injuries, or other accidents.

Symptoms of a Spleen Injury After a Car Accident

There are some signs and symptoms that show that the car accident victim may have suffered a spleen injury. Here are some of the common symptoms that may show up in the days or even weeks after a trauma. If you have suffered an abdominal trauma in a car accident, you should watch out for the following symptoms:

• Blurred Vision
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness
• Tenderness in abdomen
• Pain in the upper left area of the abdomen

If you experience any of these symptoms after a car accident, you should seek medical help right away because a ruptured spleen can quickly turn into a life-threatening condition.

Diagnosis of a spleen injury

When a car accident victim shows any symptoms of a spleen injury, the doctor will first feel his/her abdomen in the region of the spleen to diagnose an injury. The doctor will look for tenderness and/or swelling during the physical examination. If the doctor suspects a spleen injury, he/she will draw a fluid sample, and if it reveals blood in the abdomen, the doctor may order an imaging test for a better view.

Treatment of a ruptured spleen

There are several variations of spleen repair. While some minor to moderate injuries can heal by themselves with treatments such as blood transfusions and rest, severe injuries may require a surgical procedure to repair. Some surgical procedures used are:

• Spleen repair: The surgeon will stitch the ruptured area of the spleen.
• Partial spleen removal vs. Complete Splenectomy: If only a portion of the spleen is injured, the doctor may perform a partial splenectomy, which involves removing the injured portion of the spleen. However, if the spleen is severely damaged, the doctor can perform a complete splenectomy. This procedure leaves the patient prone to infections and diseases.

If you or someone close to you has suffered a ruptured spleen or other trauma due to a car accident, you should seek legal help from a competent St. Louis car injury lawyer.