FC-RECEPTOR FUNCTION AFTER HUMAN SPLENIC AUTOTRANSPLANTATION

Mononuclear phagocytic function was studied using the Fc-receptor test in 24 patients who underwent splenectomy, ten of whom underwent splen ic autotransplantation. All patients undergoing autotransplantation ha d mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) activity at the transplantation s ites. In eight of the 14 patients who did not undergo autotransplantat ion there was also scintigraphic MPS activity indicative of ectopic sp lenic tissue. Although the Fc-receptor test showed delayed and monoexp onential blood clearance in all patients after splenectomy, there were no significant differences between the patient groups. Autotransplant ation of small amounts of splenic tissue after splenectomy provides so me MPS activity but is inadequate for blood clearance.