The effectiveness of splenic autotransplantation: an experimental study.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of spleen autotransplantation on immunity and to examine the viability of autotransplanted spleen tissue.


METHODS
Three groups were assigned and following operations were performed in twenty New Zealand rabbits. 1st group: sham laparotomy, 2nd group: splenectomy and 3rd group: splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation. Scintigraphic methods, hematological-immunological tests and histopathological examination were used to evaluate the effects of splenic autotransplantation.


RESULTS
Histopathological findings showed that eight rabbits had splenic regrowth and two had necrosis of autotransplanted splenic tissue. Preoperative hematological and immunological findings compared with those at sixth week postoperatively. In group 3, postoperative immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M and interleukin-1 levels were significantly increased when compared with preoperative levels. Between all groups, postoperative leukocyte counts were found to be significantly higher in group 2 comparing with group 1. In group 2, postoperative platelet counts were significantly higher in comparison to group 1 and 3. No statistically significant difference was detected between the groups for immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M and interleukin-1 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Conservative treatment is important in patients with splenic injury. However when splenectomy is indicated, splenic autotransplantation into the omentum pouch could be a reliable method for reconstruction of splenic functions and the viability of the implanted spleen tissue can be monitored by scintigraphy and laboratory examination.
Karagülle
Erdal
E
Department of General Surgery, Medicine Faculty of Başkent University, Ankara, Turkey. erdalk@mail.baskent-kon.edu.tr
Hoşcoşkun
Zeki
Z
Kutlu
Ali Kemal
AK
Kaya
Meryem
M
Baydar
Serkan
S
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D010976:Platelet Count; D011817:Rabbits; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012038:Regeneration / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D013156:Splenectomy; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007375:Interleukin-1