Perfusion of autologous splenic grafts in correlation with specific immunological functions--an experimental study in pigs.

The study deals with the immunological capacity and perfusion rate of splenic grafts in pigs after autologous transplantation into the omentum majus. 12 months after the operation, the weight and relative perfusion of the regenerated tissue was clearly reduced. Independent of this fact, the splenic grafts could balance out an IgM-deficiency, observed due to splenectomy, 4 months after the transplantation. Furthermore, the number of antibody forming cells in the grafts was only slightly decreased compared to the normal spleen. These results show that regenerated splenic tissue is able to carry out specific immunological functions. One of the limiting factors in preventing postsplenectomy sequelae (i.e., sepsis) seems to be the poor regeneration weight and low perfusion of the grafts.