[Autologous transplantation of the spleen--comparative and experimental study in the abdomen]

Autologous spleen grafts were implanted in various abdominal sites in 32 guinea pigs (Cavea porcellus) divided in 2 groups according to the use of slided or maccerated spleens. Each guinea pig was grafted in 5 different sites: subcutaneous tissue, rectus abdominalis muscle, properitoneum, greater omentum and mesenterial root. Grafts weighted initially 50 mg and were examined after 16 weeks according to the following variables: phagocytic ability (as measured by recovery of Tc99m-labelled, heat-modified erithrocytes), weight and histological appearance. Statistical analysis showed better graft results of sliced as compared to maccerated specimens in respect to weight and histological appearance (p less than or equal to 0.01). No significant difference was found regarding phagocytic ability. Intra-abdominal sites, especially the greater omentum, were found to yield significantly better graft results than sites at the abdominal wall (p less than or equal to 0.01). No graft-associated pathological changes were observed during the study period.