Accesory Spleen - Incidence, Localization and Clinical Significance

<bold>The aim of the study.</bold> Assesment of prevalence, localization and clinical significance of an accessory spleen in own research material.

<bold>Material and methods.</bold> Retrospective analysis of medical records of 8 patients managed in the Department of Endocrine and General Surgery of Medical University of Łódź between 1^st January 2006 and 31^st December 2009 with an accessory spleen recognized in the perioperative period. 7 splenectomies were performed (5 due to hematological indications) while one patient was operated on due to the recurrence of hematological disorders after previous splenectomy 3 years earlier.

<bold>Results.</bold> In the early postoperative period complications requiring surgical reintervention occured in 2 patients. 5 patients underwent splenectomy for hematological indications and in 4 of them parameters of complete blood count improved. In one female patient operated on due to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura postoperative thrombocytopenia occured after splenectomy and excision of an accessory spleen.

<bold>Conclusions.</bold> An accessory spleen is identified during 10% of splenectomies. This anomaly is most often localized in the area of vascular splenic hilum and is usually single. Complications after excision of the accessory spleen are attributable to splenectomy and typical for this procedure. The presence of the accessory spleen is significant only when excision of entire splenic tissue is necessary due to hematological indications.