title: Medical indications for splenectomy.
abstract: The spleen, whether anatomically and physiologically normal or diseased, may significantly worsen the clinical picture in a variety of medical disorders. However, splenectomy should be undertaken only after a careful balancing of the short- and long-term risks and potential benefits to the patient, which are discussed in the following review.
authors.affiliation: University College Hospital, London.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013156:Splenectomy