What is spleen laceration? How dangerous can it be? – Firstpost

Team India vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who suffered an “impact injury” to his left lower rib cage during the third one-day international (ODI) against Australia in Sydney last week, is reportedly out of danger. According to a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source, he has been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Sydney hospital and is now stable.

“He has been shifted out of ICU and may take a few more days before he is discharged from the hospital in Sydney,” the source told PTI. Scans had revealed that the
30-year-old sustained a laceration injury to the spleen following a severe fall during the third ODI against Australia on October 25.

#WATCH | Australia: Visuals from outside St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, where Indian Cricketer Shreyas Iyer is admitted.

Devajit Saikia, Secretary, BCCI said, “He sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region while fielding during the third ODI against… pic.twitter.com/AR22HVZCE5

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2025

What is a ruptured spleen and how dangerous is it? We explain.

What is the spleen?

The spleen is a tender, small organ in the upper left abdomen that stores and filters blood.
It is located just below the rib cage on the left side and helps the body fight infection and filter old blood cells from the bloodstream.

The organ stores and filters 25 per cent of the body’s red blood cells and platelets at a given time. It also helps to make white blood cells to combat infections.

What is a spleen rupture?

The structure of the spleen, which is surrounded by a tough capsule, makes it vulnerable to injury.

“There is a soft part inside our body on the left side, just below the ribs, it is called the spleen. When someone gets a strong hit there, that part can tear or bleed inside. This is called a spleen laceration,” Dr Brajesh Kumar Mishra, head and consultant, emergency and trauma, Asian Hospital, told Moneycontrol.

Traumatic injuries are the most common cause of a ruptured spleen.

Car accidents account for about 50 per cent to 75 per cent of splenic rupture.

A blow to the left upper stomach or the left lower chest, including during sports injuries, could cause the spleen to tear or rupture.

The laceration could occur immediately upon impact or be a delayed rupture due to swelling from the injury.

A ruptured spleen that results in blood loss and a rapid plunge in blood pressure can cause symptoms such as lightheadedness or dizziness, blurred vision, paleness and faintness, as well as restlessness or anxiety.

How dangerous is ruptured spleen?

This depends on the severity of the injury and the time it takes for diagnosis and treatment.

As per the Cleveland Clinic, a minor rupture may only lead to a small, slow bleed that gives more time for a person to respond.

A more severe internal bleeding is more dangerous. It can cause death within hours if not treated right away.

“There are five grades of splenic injury. In the first two grades, we can go for conservative management if the patient’s vitals are stable. But between grade 3 and 5, a patient needs urgent surgical intervention, as it can be life-threatening if left untreated,” Dr Mishra said.

If the bleeding is life-threatening, surgery to remove the spleen, or splenectomy, is conducted.

Depending on the severity of the injury and treatment, it could take between three to 12 weeks to recover. The organ can somtimes be saved by placing a synthetic clot into the splenic artery, which is called a splenic artery embolisation.

Those who undergo surgery remain in the hospital for a few days afterwards.

What happened with Shreyas Iyer?

On Saturday (October 25),
Shreyas Iyer got injured while taking a stunning catch to dismiss Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey in the third and final ODI against Australia at the SCG.

He is said to have suffered some internal bleeding from the impact, which reports say could have been fatal if not for the BCCI medical team’s timely intervention. Iyer was immediately taken to a hospital in Sydney, with the Indian team doctor, Dr Rizwan Khan, constantly by his side, as per a Cricbuzz report.

“Shreyas Iyer sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region while fielding during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney on October 25, 2025. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation,” the BCCI said in a statement on Monday.

“Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status. The Indian Team Doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his day-to-day progress.”

“Shreyas Iyer sustained an impact injury to his left lower rib cage region. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Scans have revealed a laceration injury to the spleen. He is under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well,” the statement read. “The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, is closely monitoring his injury status. The Indian Team Doctor will remain in Sydney with Shreyas to evaluate his day-to-day progress.”

Iyer had suffered internal bleeding due to the laceration in the spleen. His condition is now stable.

A family member of the cricketer is expected to fly to Sydney once the visa formalities are done. Iyer is accompanied by local friends at the hospital.

It is unclear when Iyer will return; however, he is likely to stay in the Australian city until he fully recovers.

With inputs from agencies