title: Acute splenic complications and implications of splenectomy in hemoglobin SC disease.
abstract: Splenectomy indications and outcome were evaluated in 124 adults with hemoglobin SC disease (Hb SC). Twelve patients (9.6%) required splenectomy. There was a significant difference between the splenectomy group and the non-splenectomy group, respectively, regarding Hb levels (median 7.2 g/dL vs. 12.5 g/dL, P < 0.0001), platelet counts (median 146 x 10(6)/L vs. 275 x 10(6)/L, P = 0.031), palpable spleen rate (66% vs. 16%, P = 0.0003%), acute chest syndrome frequency (75% vs. 12%P = 0.0004) and cholecystectomy rate (66% vs. 13%, P = 0.0004). No significant morbidity or mortality occurred postsplenectomy. There is a subgroup of Hb SC patients requiring splenectomy, in which splenectomy is effective. Although it appears to be safe regarding short-term complications of surgery, long-term adverse effects such as infections have to be evaluated cautiously.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Sickle Cell Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Karthi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Subbannan
authors.forename: Celalettin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ustun
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Natarajan
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clair
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daitch
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Ferdane
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kutlar
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kutlar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006450:Hemoglobin SC Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome