Therapeutic splenectomy.

An eight-year experience at Charity Hosptial and Touro Infirmary indicates that 10 percent of splenectomies were performed for reasons other than trauma or malignancy. Fifty-nine per cent of therapeutic splenectomies were done for congenital spherocytosis or idiopathic thromboytopenic purpura. All patients having spherocytosis and 57 per cent having ITP had favorable response following splenctomy. Seven surgical death occurred following 69 splenectomies (mortality 10%). Three deaths were from pulmonary emboli, three from hemorrhagic disorders and one from peritonitis. Eighteen postopertive complications occurred, the most frequent being thromboembolic disease. Prophylactic anticoagulants were not used in any patient.