Elective Splenectomy for Haematological Disorders: One Centre Experience

Abstract

The spleen plays an important role in immune-surveillance and haematopoiesis. Its role in the fight against infection, especially infection of encapsulated organisms, is particularly significant. It also removes intracellular inclusions (pitting) and filters aged blood cellular elements from circulation. Although the spleen has important immune functions, elective splenectomy is sometimes indicated for excessive cellular destruction (hypersplenism) or sequestration, lymphomatous or myeloid disease or tumours. We present a sixteen year experience of elective splenectomy from a tertiary care surgery and haematology centre in Northern Ireland with a literature review.




doi:10.4021/jcs42w