Abstract
Serum immunoglobulins and complement factors were investigated retrospectively in 35 splenectomised (n = 28) and autoreplanted (n = 7) patients following trauma. The main deficiency of the immune system following splenectomy was a reduction in the concentrations of serum IgM, C3, and Factor B with normal IgG, IgA and C4 values. These changes were not correlated with the time elapsed after splenectomy. However, patients who had splenic tissue autoreplantation had normal values of immunoglobulins and complement factors compared with healthy controls. Splenic replantation may be able to stop a fall in immunoglobulin and complement factor values after splenectomy.