When to use splenic embolisation versus surgery for traumatic spleen injuries
Decision to Treat Acute Traumatic Splenic Artery Injury in the Context of Trauma
Using past trauma records, researchers will see if people with splenic injuries do better with splenic artery embolisation or with surgery.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 8000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Plymouth, Devon) |
| Trial ID | NCT06334263 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a retrospective observational analysis of patients with traumatic splenic injury captured in the Trauma and Audit Research Network (TARN) between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020, with CT scans available for review. Radiologists will grade injuries by AAST grade and the team will document which patients received splenic embolisation, which underwent surgery, and the technical variants of embolisation used. Outcomes such as bleeding control, need for further intervention, and resource use will be compared across groups to identify patterns and decision drivers. The aim is to clarify which injury patterns and clinical situations favor embolisation and to inform future prospective studies and guidelines.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients recorded in TARN with traumatic splenic injury between 2016 and 2020 whose CT scans are available for radiological grading.
Not a fit: Patients without retrievable CT imaging, those injured outside the 2016–2020 window, or those who required immediate life-saving surgery are unlikely to be included or benefit from this analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help clinicians pick the less invasive embolisation approach for the right patients and reduce unnecessary open surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational series and case reports have shown splenic embolisation is a viable option for many higher-grade injuries, but comparative and randomized evidence remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
INCLUSION Criteria: All patients who had traumatic splenic injury between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2020 with data available from TARN CT available for review. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: CT not available to radiologically grade the Splenic injury
Where this trial is running
Plymouth, Devon
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust — Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.