Measuring the value of spleen preserving procedures

Title of project: Measuring the value of spleen preserving procedures Short description: The spleen is an important part of the immune system, therefore splenic loss is seen to be associated with overwhelming sepsis and other infections and complications such as an increased risk of thrombosis. As a consequence when the spleen is damaged after trauma or at risk of damage in the setting of intrabdominal surgery, especially of the distal pancreas and number of spleen preserving procedures are undertaken including splenic artery embolization by interventional radiology, and surgery that preserves spleen structure but may involve damage to splenic vessels. The long term utility of these spleen preserving procedures in preserving splenic function is unclear, and the procedures themselves may involve risks, such as prolonged operating time. The object of the study would be to identify patients who had undertaken these procedures in the past and obtain blood samples for detailed immunological testing to demonstrate long term preservation of splenic function, as well as to assess clinically any increased rates of infection post procedures. The study would involve the laboratory of Dr Gabriela Khoury at the Burnet Institute and surgical and radiological colleagues undertaking spleen preserving procedures on their patients at Monash Medical Centre and elsewhere.