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Post-splenectomy syndrome

Definition

Post-splenectomy syndrome is a group of symptoms and signs that often occur after surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy).

These include:

Destruction of red blood cells
Increased risk of getting severe infections, especially with certain bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis
Thrombocytosis (increased platelet count, which can cause blood clots)

Alternative Names

Splenectomy - post-surgery syndrome

Complications

Possible long-term medical problems include:

Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
Pulmonary hypertension (a disease affecting the blood vessels in your lungs)

References

Shurin SB. The spleen and its disorders. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr., Shattil SJ, eds. Hoffman Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008:chap 163.

Review Date: 2/28/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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