title: Splenectomy complications in hematological diseases.
abstract: The postoperative complications observed in a group of 27 patients with hematological diseases that underwent splenectomy are reported: 21 patients had a non-malignant hematological condition, whereas the rest had a hematological malignancy. Seven complications presented in 6 patients (two wound infections, two severe post-operative hemorrhages, one incisional hernia, one sepsis by capsulated bacteria and one fatal hemophagocytic syndrome). The overall complication rate was 27%, whereas the fatal complication rate was 3%. The complication rate in patients with malignant diseases was 83%, whereas that in benign conditions was 9%. The size of the spleen was related with the complication rate (median weight of patients with complications was 990 g versus 132 g in those without complications; p < 0.01). The two patients that underwent splenectomy before age six months had complications, in one case related to parental negligence. In splenectomies performed for hematological disease the benefits must be balanced carefully against the risks.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Hematología y Medicina Interna de Puebla, México.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Argüelles
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Velázquez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pérez-Tamayo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marín-López
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salgado-Sánchez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Porras-Ramírez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Angel Mercado
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Brito
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013156:Splenectomy