[Autotransplantation of splenic tissue after splenectomy in adults]

Splenectomy involves a risk of development of postsplenectomy sepsis, PSS. An assessment of the incidence of PSS is made on the basis of a review of the literature. Experimental studies on animals suggest that splenic autotransplantation exerts a protective effect following nasal exposure to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Where other routes of exposure are concerned, the results are contradictory, but no general effect has been found. Clinical data is limited and the effect cannot be assessed as yet. The technique of autotransplantation and the commonest complications are summarised. On this basis, several guidelines are presented. It is concluded that splenic autotransplantation is a potentially beneficial alternative to total splenectomy but that it involves a certain risk. The procedure should, therefore, only be carried out under clinically controlled conditions.