Incidence and function of residual splenic tissue following splenectomy for trauma in adults
C. D. Livingston, B. A. Levine, M. L. Lecklitner and K. R. Sirinek
A limited study of children requiring splenectomy for trauma suggested a
59% incidence of splenosis. We attempted to confirm these results in 40
adult patients with trauma. Residual splenic tissue, from either splenosis
or accessory spleens, was seen in 26% of patients who underwent splenectomy
for trauma and subsequent splenic scintigraphy. There was no significant
difference in serum IgM levels between control patients and splenectomy
patients with or without residual splenic tissue. There was also no
difference in the percentage of pitted RBCs in splenectomized patients with
or without residual splenic tissue. However, both groups of splenectomized
patients had significantly higher numbers of pitted RBCs than did controls.
These results indicate that the incidence of residual splenic tissue,
though significant, is lower than previously reported, and that natural
splenosis probably results in a small splenic mass incapable of restoring
total splenic function.
