The surgical and hematologic significance of accessory spleens.

The approximately 10 per cent incidence of accessory spleens in the general population is well documented, and accessory spleens often are not clinically significant. Trauma, torsion and, especially, hematologic diseases can affect an accessory spleen. A careful search should be made for accessory spleens, and they should be removed at the time of primary splenectomy so as to avoid a second operation later in life.