[Heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue after traumatic rupture of the spleen - a solution after unavoidable splenectomy? (author's transl)].

Considering the increased incidence of infections and the danger of postsplenectomy sepsis (OPSI) a preservation of the ruptured spleen by suturing etc. is usually attempted today. When splenectomy is unavoidable autotransplantation of splenic tissue may preserve some degree of splenic function. We report our first successful case. 6 months after autotransplantation splenic tissue could be visualized by technetium 99 scintigraphy. Howell-Jolly bodies were absent in the peripheral blood and the immunoglobulins were normal.