Assessment of post-splenectomy residual splenic function. Splenic autotransplants |
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| Authors: | S Revuelta Alvarez C Fernandez-Escalante D Casanova Rituerto F Lopez Espadas J Martin Fernandez |
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| Institution: | Servicio de Cirugía General y Apto. Digestivo, Hospital Nacional, Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain. |
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| Abstract: | Splenectomy increases the risk of fulminant sepsis. The present study assesses residual splenic function in patients splenectomized due to traumatic rupture of the spleen; and six cases with splenic autotransplants. Splenic tissue was observed in only 48% of the splenectomized patients and 100% of the autotransplant cases. The two most reliable analytical parameters to assess the presence of functional splenic tissue, were the absence of Howell-Jolly bodies and normal IgM blood levels. In cases where total splenectomy is indicated, it has proved useful to perform autotransplantation of splenic tissue at omentum major level. |
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