Autosplenotransplantation After Splenectomy: Long- Forgotten Past or Promising Future?

AIM OF THE STUDY. To investigate the clinical and functional outcomes of autosplenotransplantation in cases of spleen injuries, and to establish its effectiveness in clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Using the databases “e-library” and “PubMed”, a thorough review of national and international literature on autosplenotransplantation in patients with traumatic splenic injury was performed. RESULTS. This study analyzes literature sources to describe the technical aspects of autosplenotransplantation. The immediate outcomes of this operation show a low incidence of postoperative complications and good graft survival. In addition, this study presents the indications and contraindications of autosplenotransplantation. Comparing autosplenotransplantation to splenectomy, functional results indicate the best indices of humoral and cellular immunity and hemocoagulation. In the published literature, the functional activity indices of the transplant were comparable to those of healthy individuals with the functioning spleen. However, the studies yielding these results were conducted on small patient samples, limiting the reliability of the conclusions drawn. CONCLUSION. Autosplenotransplantation appears to be the only viable option for preserving the function of the lost spleen in patients with traumatic splenic injury who, for various reasons, cannot receive organ-preserving treatment. Large randomized studies are needed to assess functional results of the operation and, particularly, the immunological function of the transplant.