Table 6

Splenectomy reasons and selected outcomes

ReasonNo. (n = 39)Outcome
ITP 12 11 cases resolved ITP, 1 case complicated by postoperative sepsis but this patient was not yet on immunoglobulin therapy 
Hypersplenism 6 cases resolved with no sequelae, 2 cases resolved hypersplenism but later developed liver failure with portal hypertension of unclear etiology, 1 case later developed bone marrow failure 
AIHA 4 cases resolved AIHA, 2 cases complicated by fistulae, 1 from the pancreas to the back, 1 to the stomach and abdominal wall 
Hodgkin disease staging 2 patients received chemotherapy for Hodgkin disease, both later died of lymphoma 
Enlarged spleen and hypersplenism 1 case resolved, 1 case improved 
Unknown reason 1 patient eventually developed lymphoma 
Lymphoma Patient found to have lymphoma 
ITP/AIHA Patient needed rituxumab for recurrence 
Enlarged spleen Splenomegaly with no other pathology 
Abscess of spleen Patient with splenic abscess with extension to psoas muscle 
Enlarged spleen, presumed lymphoma Patient with granulomata on pathology after splenectomy, no lymphoma found 
Presumed lymphoma (medical error) Spleen lost; pathology unknown, but patient given chemotherapy 
ReasonNo. (n = 39)Outcome
ITP 12 11 cases resolved ITP, 1 case complicated by postoperative sepsis but this patient was not yet on immunoglobulin therapy 
Hypersplenism 6 cases resolved with no sequelae, 2 cases resolved hypersplenism but later developed liver failure with portal hypertension of unclear etiology, 1 case later developed bone marrow failure 
AIHA 4 cases resolved AIHA, 2 cases complicated by fistulae, 1 from the pancreas to the back, 1 to the stomach and abdominal wall 
Hodgkin disease staging 2 patients received chemotherapy for Hodgkin disease, both later died of lymphoma 
Enlarged spleen and hypersplenism 1 case resolved, 1 case improved 
Unknown reason 1 patient eventually developed lymphoma 
Lymphoma Patient found to have lymphoma 
ITP/AIHA Patient needed rituxumab for recurrence 
Enlarged spleen Splenomegaly with no other pathology 
Abscess of spleen Patient with splenic abscess with extension to psoas muscle 
Enlarged spleen, presumed lymphoma Patient with granulomata on pathology after splenectomy, no lymphoma found 
Presumed lymphoma (medical error) Spleen lost; pathology unknown, but patient given chemotherapy 

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal