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European Journal of Medical Research
Published in: European Journal of Medical Research 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Splenectomy | Research

Splenectomy is associated with altered leukocyte kinetics after severe trauma

Authors: Michel Paul Johan Teuben, Arne Hollman, Taco Blokhuis, Roman Pfeifer, Roy Spijkerman, Henrik Teuber, Hans-Christoph Pape, Luke Petrus Hendrikus Leenen

Published in: European Journal of Medical Research | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Inadequate activation of the innate immune system after trauma can lead to severe complications such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome. The spleen is thought to modulate the cellular immune system. Furthermore, splenectomy is associated with improved outcome in severely injured trauma patients. We hypothesized that a splenectomy alters the cellular immune response in polytrauma.

Methods

All adult patients with an ISS ≥ 16 and suffering from splenic or hepatic injuries were selected from our prospective trauma database. Absolute leukocyte numbers in peripheral blood were measured. White blood cell kinetics during the first 14 days were compared between splenectomized patients, patients treated surgically for liver trauma and nonoperatively treated individuals.

Results

A total of 129 patients with a mean ISS of 29 were included. Admission characteristics and leukocyte numbers were similar in all groups, except for slightly impaired hemodynamic status in patients with operatively treated liver injuries. On admission, leukocytosis occurred in all groups. During the first 24 h, leukopenia developed gradually, although significantly faster in the operatively treated patients. Thereafter, leukocyte levels normalized in all nonoperatively treated cases whereas leukocytosis persisted in operatively treated patients. This effect was significantly more prominent in splenectomized patients than all other conditions.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that surgery for intra-abdominal injuries is associated with an early drop in leucocyte numbers in peripheral blood. Moreover, splenectomy in severely injured patients is associated with an altered cellular immune response reflected by a persistent state of prominent leukocytosis after trauma.
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Metadata
Title
Splenectomy is associated with altered leukocyte kinetics after severe trauma
Authors
Michel Paul Johan Teuben
Arne Hollman
Taco Blokhuis
Roman Pfeifer
Roy Spijkerman
Henrik Teuber
Hans-Christoph Pape
Luke Petrus Hendrikus Leenen
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
European Journal of Medical Research / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2047-783X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-021-00497-8

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