Splenic autotransplantation in Gaucher's disease

A case of Gaucher's disease with a giant spleen and hematological dysfuncti ons was treated by total splenectomy and autologous splenic implantations i nto the greater omentum. The patient, a 23-year-old black woman, had an une ventful postoperative recovery. She returned to her job, got married, had a child and has been under hematological control for over 5 years. The splen ic autotransplants have survived and have filtering function. Although this case report is not unusual, it seems worthwhile to emphasize this techniqu e as a surgical alternative whenever it is not possible to preserve at leas t pa rt of the spleen, as may occur following traumatic rupture. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.