[Experience with heterotopic autotransplanted splenic tissue in children (author's transl)].

In 5 patients re-implantation of splenic tissue was performed after splenectomy. In all patients growth of the regeneration products was proved by scintiscanning. In two patients only, however, the Howell-Jolly bodies proving the ability of the spleen to perform phagocytosis disappeared from the erythrocytes. Basing on an extensive study of the literature and on the authors' own results, the question is discussed whether re-implantation of splenic tissue after traumatic rupture of the spleen and splenectomy is meaningful or whether splenosis occurring during splenic trauma will already provide satisfactory immunological protection.