[Quantitative and qualitative observations of spleens removed from patients]

The spleens of 100 patients (ITP 60 cases, hypersplenism 20 cases, traumatic rupture of spleen 20 cases) were examined histologically and by electron microscopy. Measurements of the spleens removed from ITP patients were taken and compared to those of the other two groups. Short and long term post operative results were compared.

1. Spleens from the ITP group had characteristics different from those from the hypersplenism (hepatocirrhosis) and control groups; 2. the ITP patients whose spleen is twice the weight of average had better long term response to splenectomy; 3. the mean diameter of splenic follicles greater than 500 microns and the average diameter of germinal centers greater than 200 microns were the criteria for long term response to splenectomy. Therefore, histological examination of excised ITP spleen can predict the possible long term effect of splenectomy.