[Splenic autografts in omental and subcutaneous pouches. An experimental study]

An accurate morphological study has been done on splenic grafts in rats after 7-15-30 days from their implant in omental or subcutaneous pouches. Observation after 7 days confirmed the necrosis of all the central portion of the implants. Anyway, marginal parts of the graft survived to ischaemia and showed to be supplied by vessels, coming from the contiguous tissues. In these parts the rigenerative process had begun from the structures of red residual pulp, by reticular cells proliferating so to rigenerate the capsula limiting the place of the central necrotic area. After 15 days the neocapsula was completed and from it neoformed trabecolae departed accompanied with chords, sinus capillary, venular and arteriolar vessels which reformed the structure of red pulp both in peripheral and central area, now undistinguishable. After 30 days lymphocytes aggregating around the neoformed vessels promoted a rudimental reconstruction of the white pulp too. In conclusion, splenic implants are able to get over the ischaemic phase and after 30 days the red pulp is morphologically reconstructed and probably functioning, while the white pulp is still primordial.