title: Functions of the splenic remnant after subtotal splenectomy for treatment of severe splenic injuries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients submitted to subtotal splenectomy during the immediate and late postoperative period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on 34 patients, 25 of whom were submitted to subtotal splenectomy (group I), and 9 to total splenectomy without preservation of splenic tissue (group II), and on 22 patients with intact spleens (group III, control). The immediate and late postoperative complications were investigated. Hematological examinations were performed during the late postoperative period (red cell count, hemoglobin, platelets, total and segmented leukocytes, lymphocytes, and Howell-Jolly bodies). Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and total T lymphocytes (TTL), active T lymphocytes (ATL), and B lymphocytes were also determined. Splenic scintigraphy with (99m)Tc colloidal sulfur was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups I and III did not presented abnormal blood bodies and their hematological and immunological pattern were normal. None of the groups showed leukocytosis or thrombocytosis. Howell-Jolly bodies were observed only in group II, which also showed reduced IgM levels. Scintigraphy showed filtering splenic tissue in group I.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that subtotal splenectomy is a good surgical alternative for serious distal spleen lesion or when the main splenic pedicle is injured.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Minas Gerais and Hospital João XXIII, Rua Sergipe, no 67, Apto 2401, Bairro Funcionários, Belo Horizonte, MG 30130-170, Brazil. klimt@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Resende
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petroianu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid