Clinical and Immunological Results of Segmental Splenectomy in Schistosomiasis

摘要

The authors evaluated segmental splenectomy in 51 patients who required splenectomy to relieve the symptoms of schistosomal splenomegaly, and compared their course with that of 44 patients who underwent total splenectomy in an unrandomized study. The authors describe a minor modification of our initial technique. Patients having segmental splenectomy has a similar postoperative course to those having segmental total splenectomy. Conversion of a segmental to a total splenectomy was required in two cases due to technical faults. No regrowth of the spleen has occurred in up to 4 years of observation. The authors noted an increased percentage of T lymphocytes with an increased ratio of T helper to T suppressor cells in patients having segmental splenectomy. The authors cumulative experience supports adoption and wider evaluation of segmental splenectomy in schistosomiasis.