[Effect of accidental splenectomy on long-term outcome in colorectal tumor surgery]

In the period from 1967 till 1988 an accidental splenectomy was carried out at 1318 colon resections because of a malignant tumor in 34 cases (2.5%). The preoperative risk of this patient group was increased clearly in opposite to the whole patient clientele. So every fifth suffering from ileus or subileus was operated as in emergency. The complication rate, time of rest and clinic lethality were increased. The five-years survival rate did not change significantly in stage T1 and T2 in comparison with the whole patient clientele. In the stage T3, however, a significant prolonged survival rate was found out in the target group. Therefore the oncological aspect does not supply any reason to preserve the spleen in colorectal tumor surgery.