Title: Effectiveness of partial splenectomy in hereditary spherocytosis
Abstract: Total splenectomy eliminates the splenic destruction of erythrocytes with impaired deformability. However, concern has increased over the lifelong risk of overwhelming postsplenectomy infections in splenectomized patients, a risk reduced but not totally suppressed by appropriate prophylaxis. Partial splenectomy, as long as 80% to 90% of the enlarged spleen is removed and less than 25% of the normal spleen volume is retained, is a logical alternative, both preserving the phagocytic and immune function of the spleen and decreasing erythrocyte destruction. A 12-year experience has shown that subtotal splenectomy is efficient in decreasing hemolysis, although to a lesser extent than total splenectomy, with sustained results over years in most patients, and indirect evidence argues for the integrity of phagocytic function. Such a surgical procedure should be considered in transfusion-dependent infants with hereditary spherocytosis and in older patients with erythrocyte membrane defects, provided further follow-up confirms the experience of the past 12 years.
Publication Year: 1997
Publication Date: 1997-01-01
Language: en
Type: review
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 48
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