RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Aim of this study was to compare clinical, biochemical and hematological parameters of the patients after posttraumatic splenectomy, posttraumatic spleen preservation and auto transplantation and the control group of the patients. METHODOLOGY: The study included data on 169 patients treated at the University Surgery Department, University Hospital Split, from 1998 till 2006. There were 127 male, and 42 female patients, mean age was 40,3 years (range 15-74), 137 of the patients underwent surgery and 32 were treated without operation. A group of 29 patients, who underwent inguinal hernia repair, was the control group. RESULTS: Reduction in postoperative morbidity, hospital stays and blood products administration are achieved if the spleen is preserved. The values of Howell-Jolly bodies, CH50 complement particles, IgM antibodies, lymphocytes and monocites are reduced if the spleen is not preserved. CONCLUSION: No operative treatment and spleen preserving surgical procedures are superior to the splenectomy in the spleen trauma treatment. Splenectomy should be avoided whenever is possible.