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When star Indian batter Shreyas Iyer dived to complete a catch during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, the last thing anyone expected was an internal injury that would send him to the ICU. Yet, what seemed like a routine fielding effort led to a laceration of the spleen – an uncommon but serious injury that required immediate surgery. Thankfully, the cricketer has now recovered and remains stable, but his case sheds light on a critical and often overlooked organ injury that can have life-threatening consequences if not addressed quickly. What Exactly Happens During A Spleen Laceration? The spleen, located just below the left rib cage, plays a crucial role in filtering blood and supporting the body’s immune system. “A spleen laceration is essentially a tear or cut in the spleen caused by blunt force or trauma, from accidents, contact sports, or even a fall. Patients usually experience sharp abdominal pain, tenderness in the left upper area, or even pain radiating toward the left shoulder,” explains Dr. Salil Yadav, Consultant – General Surgery & Minimal Access and Robotic Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram. Since the spleen is a highly vascular organ, any rupture can lead to significant internal bleeding. “Tests such as ultrasound or CT scan are used to identify the tear and classify it from grade 1 to 4. Depending on severity, doctors decide whether to monitor the patient or perform a partial or full splenectomy (removal of the spleen),” adds Dr. Yadav. How Surgeons Respond To Spleen Injuries According to Dr. Srikantaiah Hiremath, HOD & Consultant, General Surgery, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, the spleen is among the most commonly injured organs in abdominal trauma cases. “Abdominal injuries occur in nearly 7–10% of all trauma cases, and the spleen accounts for nearly half of those. These injuries may occur due to high-speed accidents, sports trauma, or compression of the abdomen,” he says. In emergency care, doctors focus on stabilising the patient before determining if surgery is needed. “If the patient’s blood pressure and pulse remain unstable even after fluid resuscitation, it suggests ongoing internal bleeding. That’s when surgery, usually a laparotomy, is performed to control bleeding and assess damage,” Dr. Hiremath notes. When the spleen has to be removed, post-operative care becomes vital. “Patients are vaccinated against specific infections because removal of the spleen reduces part of the immune defense,” adds Dr. Hiremath. ICU monitoring for a few days is standard until the patient regains stability and mobility. Recovery And Long-Term Outlook While not every spleen injury requires surgery, all cases demand close monitoring. In mild cases, patients may recover with rest and observation, but severe tears often call for surgical intervention. Once the immediate risk subsides, gradual rehabilitation follows, including restricted physical activity for several weeks. Shreyas Iyer’s incident is a reminder that even fit, elite athletes can experience severe internal injuries that are not visible externally. Quick recognition, accurate diagnosis, and timely intervention make all the difference.
