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A Disease or a Beneficial Condition?

MAJ Warren D. Widmann, MC, USAR; MAJ Frederick A. Laubscher, MC, USAR

AMA Arch Surg. 1971;102(2):152-158.

Abstract
Most of the 70 reported cases of splenosis were found at incidental laparotomy months or years after severe splenic injury. Typically, there were multiple reddish implants from 1 to 3 cm in size, widely scattered throughout the peritoneal cavity. The implants lacked a hilum and their capsules lacked muscle and elastic fibers. In most reports there was no proof of function by the implants. Review of the literature failed to support labelling splenosis a disease. Possible beneficial effects of splenosis might include avoidance of the asplenic state with preservation of a normal blood smear and response to infection. Prospective study of cases of splenectomy for trauma is suggested to differentiate between those cases with and without residual splenic tissue.

Author Affiliations
Frankfurt, Germany

From the departments of surgery and pathology, US Army General Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Aug 19, 1970.

Reprint requests to 32 Franklin St, Morristown, NJ 07960 (Dr. Widmann).

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