SPLENECTOMY FOR HEMATOLOGICAL DISEASE

The role of splenectomy in haematological disease appears to be changi ng. This single centre, retrospective study was carried out to documen t the indications for splenectomy and its outcome over a 7-year period and to compare it with the preceding 7-year period. Sixty-four patien ts underwent splenectomy in the study period, the main indication bein g idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. There was one post-operative de ath and morbidity was seen in 40 (63%) patients. Splenectomy was succe ssful in achieving the desired aim in 51 (80%) patients. Approximately 40% fewer patients underwent splenectomy in the study period compared with the preceding 7 years despite there being an overall increase of 123 (633 vs. 540) patients treated for haematological disease in this period. The reason for this observation was the fall in the number of splenectomies performed for Hodgkin's disease and auto-immune haemoly tic anaemia.