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Post-splenectomy complications
     
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Post-splenectomy complications

Splenectomy - post-surgery syndrome; Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection; OPSI; Splenectomy - reactive thrombocytosis

 

Post-splenectomy complications can occur after surgery to remove the spleen. Complications may include:

  • Blood clots
  • Destruction of red blood cells
  • Increased risk for severe infections from bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis
  • Thrombocytosis (increased platelet count, which can cause blood clots)
  • Increased red and white blood cell counts

Possible Complications

 

Possible long-term medical problems include:

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

 

 

Open References

References

Nassar AK, Hawn M. The spleen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 57.

Ollila TA, Zayac AS, Schiffman FJ. The spleen and its disorders. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, Salama ME, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 156.

Shah AA, Zuberi MK, Cornwell EE. Injured spleen. In: Cameron AM, Cameron JL, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:1320-1326.

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  • Spleen

    Spleen

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A Closer Look

 
 

Review Date: 2/2/2023

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