SPLENECTOMY COMPLICATIONS IN HEMATOLOGICAL DISEASES

The postoperative complications observed in a group of 27 patients wit h hematological diseases that underwent splenectomy are reported: 21 p atients had a non-malignant hematological condition, whereas the rest had a hematological malignancy. Seven complications presented in 6 pat ients (two wound infections, two severe postoperative hemorrhages, one incisional hernia, one sepsis by capsulated bacteria and one fatal he mophagocytic 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 wa s 9%. The size of the spleen was related with the complication rate (m edian weight of patients with complications was 990 g versus 132 g in those without complications; p < 0.01). The two patients that underwen t splenectomy before age six months had complications, in one case rel ated to parental negligence. In splenectomies performed for hematologi cal disease the benefits must be balanced carefully against the risks.