Deep venous thrombosis and postsplenectomy thrombocytosis.
Eighty-six patients undergoing elective splenectomy have been investigated preoperatively and postoperatively by serial platelet counts and leg scanning using iodine 125-labeled fibrinogen. The presence of deep leg vein thromboses detected by labeled fibrinogen was confirmed by dye phlebography. In only five patients (6%) did deep venous thrombosis develop. In none of these five patients did an elevation in platelet count to 600,000/cu mm develop before or at the time of development of the thrombosis. None of 21 other patients who did have a rise in platelet count greater than 1,000,000/cu mm had evidenced of venous thrombosis. These data do not substantiate the need for routine prophylactic antithrombotic therapy in patients in whom postsplenectomy thrombocytosis develops.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000150:complications*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D000991:Antithrombins; D005340:Fibrinogen