[Organ preserving spleen surgery in childhood].

Our experiences with organ saving procedures of the spleen in childhood are presented. In 9 out of 12 children (75%) with traumatic rupture we preserved the organ partially or completely. In 4 patients a partial splenectomy was performed, in three cases of splenorrhaphy was done, and once the organ was repaired with fibrin adhesive. One child was treated conservatively. Another patient underwent splenectomy followed by autotransplantation. Two out of twelve died intra- or postoperatively from severe concomitant injuries. Out of 11 patients with Hodgkin's disease we performed partial splenectomy in five. Only in macroscopically involved cases the organ was removed. In one patient a huge epidermoid cyst of the spleen was enucleated. In another child with a big twisted wandering spleen a splenopexy after partial resection was carried out. In children the spleen should be preserved if ever possible.