Increased concern over the potential immunologic consequences of splenectomy has prompted surgeons to attempt salvage of traumatized spleens. We report a retrospective study of 172 consecutive patients with documented splenic injury treated over a 2-year period: 107 patients underwent splenectomy; 65 were managed without total splenectomy; 32 were not explored. The overall mortality rate was 27%; the overall complications were 30%, including a 13% incidence of post-splenectomy subphrenic abscess. The incidence of infectious complications after splenectomy was 36%, while the incidence in nonsplenectomized patients was 9%. The Injury Severity Scores (ISS) in the two groups were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05). When the group whose spleens were salvaged was compared to an equivalent group matched for ISS, age, and sex, there was no significant difference in sepsis rates (23% vs. 10.7%; 0.10 ≥ p ≥ 0.05). Survival in those with postinjury infectious complications was significantly improved in patients with a remaining spleen (p ≤ 0.01). Abdominal computerized tomography was used successfully as a method of following injured and repaired spleens in order to predict return to full activity.