Comparative study of hematological and immunological responses to splentectomy versus splenic autotransplantation in patients with traumatic rupture of the spleen

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out on 20 male patients admitted to the Main Alexandria University Hospital with traumatic rupture of the spleen. Group 1 patients [n=10] were subjected to total splenectomy with intraperitoneal splenic tissue autotransplantation via an omental pouch, while group 2 patients [n=10] were subjected to total splenectomy alone and served as controls. Both groups were compared, utilizing hematological and immunological parameters measured preoperatively and 4 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively, in order to assess function of the splenic implants. Results revealed partial restoration of splenic function as reflected by a statististically significant reduction [P<0.05] of the mean percentage of vaculated RBCs at 8 weeks postoperatively as compared to controls and significant increase of serum IgM levels at 8 weeks postoperatively as compared to their level at 4 weeks. Based on these data, it may be concluded that whenever total splenectomy is unavoidable following trauma, intraperitoneal autotransplantation of splenic tissue restores, at least partially, splenic function, particularly its role as a blood filter