Etymed
autosplenectomy
Definition
Surgical removal of one's own spleen
Clinical context
A 32-year-old trauma patient presents with massive splenic rupture after a motor vehicle accident. Despite aggressive resuscitation and surgical intervention, the spleen is found to be so severely damaged that it cannot be salvaged and must be removed. The patient's remaining splenic tissue is then referred to as 'autosplenectomy' as it has essentially become the functional equivalent of a splenectomy.
Mnemonic
Auto = own, splenectomy = spleen removal, so autosplenectomy = removal of one's own spleen