ALTHOUGH aneurysm of the splenic artery has been known for some 100 to 110 years, its occurrence is so uncommon that no one surgeon's experience with the lesion can be wide. The autopsy incidence has been reported between 0.02% (4 in 19,300 autopsies — Schroetter) and 0.2% (7 in 3,108 autopsies — Bosdorf).1 Yet the lesion is of great significance, as evidenced by the fact that until 1942, of 124 reported cases, there had been but 20 survivals.8 It is also estimated that about onethird of all splenic aneurysms will rupture in time if left untreated.1 On this account, it would seem wise that cases be reported so that everyone may be as familiar as possible with the condition and the problems of its surgical therapy.
In addition to presenting one case of large aneurysm of the splenic artery, we feel that the principle of dissecting in