[Autotransplantation of the spleen. A new possibility in the conservative surgery of the spleen]

Conservative surgery to spleen is an ancient concept brought up-to date by improved knowledge of its fundamental roles in immunity and anti-bacterial defences. Suture of spleen and partial splenectomy ensure the best possible functional results but have technical limitations resulting frequently in splenectomy to provide hemostasis. Data from clinical and experimental studies and reports in the literature have demonstrated that autotransplantation of spleen is a simple, safe and effective method for preventing the true dangers of asplenia. Optimal results from autotransplantation of spleen are obtained when the injured organ is broken into small fragments which are then implanted into small spaces fashioned in the greater omentum. Clinical and biological tests to evaluate functional value of these transplants have shown that results approach those of a normal or sutured spleen. It is concluded that this procedure, which completes other conservative methods of splenic surgery, should definitely exclude hemostasis splenectomy from therapy of injuries to spleen.