Cricketer Shreyas Iyer has suffered a spleen laceration following an impact to his left rib cage, the BCCI confirmed. He is currently under medical care, said to be stable and recovering, with the Indian team doctor staying back in Sydney to monitor his condition closely.
According to reports, the impact from the fall caused a tear in the organ located just below the rib cage, leading to severe internal bleeding. Iyer’s blood pressure reportedly dropped significantly in the dressing room, prompting his immediate transfer to the hospital for emergency evaluation.
Explaining the injury, Dr. Brajesh Kumar Mishra, Head of Emergency and Trauma at Asian Hospital, said, “The spleen, a soft organ on the left side under the ribs, can tear or bleed internally when subjected to a strong impact. This is known as a spleen laceration. Such injuries are graded from 1 to 5 mild cases (grades 1 and 2) can be managed conservatively if the patient’s vitals are stable, but grades 3 to 5 often require urgent surgery as they can be life-threatening if untreated.”
Key Information about Spleen Laceration:
What is a spleen laceration?
A spleen laceration is a tear in the spleen caused by blunt trauma commonly from accidents or sports injuries. It can result in internal bleeding and may become life-threatening if untreated.
Symptoms
- Pain in the left upper abdomen or left shoulder
- Dizziness, weakness, or paleness due to blood loss
- In severe cases, signs of shock such as low blood pressure or rapid heartbeat
Impact on other organs
If the spleen bleeds internally, it can press against nearby organs like the kidneys, stomach, or lungs, and weaken the body’s immune response, as the spleen helps filter blood and fight infections.
Treatment and recovery
- Mild injuries: Managed with rest and hospital monitoring.
- Severe injuries: May require surgery or spleen removal (splenectomy).
Recovery usually takes 2–3 months for minor tears but may be longer if surgery is needed.
Possible complications
- Ongoing internal bleeding or delayed rupture
- Infection risk, especially after spleen removal, which may require vaccinations and preventive antibiotics.