Splenic autotransplantation after abdominal trauma in childhood. Clinical and experimental data.

Splenectomy is known to increase the risk of overwhelming bacterial infection. There is a decrease in immunoglobulin IgM and T-lymphocytes, primary antibody response to antigen challenge is impaired, altered opsonic function an Tuftsin deficiency are noted. Splenic autotransplantation has been suggested as a method of preserving function and this concept is supported by experiments in animals. Prior to operation on humans the technique was thoroughly elaborated and practised in animal experiments (dogs). After splenectomy, 6-8 thin segments (Furka's "spleen chip") are placed in between the plates of the major omentum. Within the period of ten years out of 52 patients 11 children (4 girls, 7 boys) suffered from abdominal trauma underwent total splenectomy, and than autotransplantation in the Kenézy Hospital in Debrecen, Hungary. In several patients the postoperative follow-up radionuclide imaging, IgM, and Tuftsin levels, and the haematological changes (leukocytes, differential blood count, platelet count, iron level in serum) unambiguously confirmed the function of the splenic tissue.