Splenic phagocytic function after partial splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation.

We investigated splenic reticuloendothelial activity after splenic preservation procedures to determine their effect upon the phagocytic function of the spleen. We performed the following procedures in Sprague-Dawley rats: sham laparotomy, total splenectomy, hemisplenectomy, subtotal splenectomy, or total splenectomy with intraperitoneal splenic autotransplantation. At nine weeks after operation, phagocytic function of the spleen was determined by measuring radiocolloid uptake. Mean (+/- SEM) splenic phagocytic indices for sham laparotomy (41.2 +/- 2.9), hemisplenectomy (44 +/- 2.9), and subtotal splenectomy (43.2 +/- 5.2) were similar; however, the phagocytic index was reduced markedly after autotransplantation (15.8 +/- 2.2). These data demonstrate that the phagocytic function of the spleen after hemisplenectomy and subtotal splenectomy correlates highly with the weight of the splenic remnant; however, phagocytic function after autotransplantation remains reduced even after accounting for differences in splenic weight.