Age is a predictor for mortality after blunt splenic injury

Background: While the incidence of geriatric trauma continues to increase, the management of highgrade blunt splenic injury (BSI) in the elderly remains controversial. Among this population, data evaluating survival rates following non-operative and operative management are inconsistent. We analyzed mortality risk in geriatric patients with high-grade BSI based on operative vs. non-operative management. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the National Trauma Database identified patients with isolated, high-grade (AIS 3) BSI from 2014 to 2015. Patients were stratified into three groups: non-elderly (<65 years), elderly (65-79 years), and advanced age (80 years and older). Each age group was stratified into three management groups: non-operative (including embolization), initial operative management (OR within 24 h), and failed non-operative management. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression estimated association with mortality. Results: 5560 patients with isolated, high-grade BSI were identified. In the group that failed NOM, mortality was 2% in non-elderly patients, versus 22.2% in elderly patients and 50% in patients of advanced age (p < .01). In this group, patients over 80 years old spent an average of 6.5 days longer in the ICU vs. non-elderly patients (median 10.5 days, IQR [6.75, 19.5] vs. 4 days, IQR [3,6], p 1/4 0.02). In patients with isolated, high grade BSI, age was independently associated with mortality (AOR 1.02; p < 0.01). Elderly patients who required surgery were over three times more likely to die (AOR 3.39; p < 0.01). Advanced age patients who required surgery were over eight times more likely to die (AOR 8.1; p < 0.01). Conclusions: For patients with BSI, age is independently associated with death in both operative and non-operative cases. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.