[Complications of splenectomy].

The present study is an analysis of complications developing after a total of 200 splenectomies carried out for various indications: primary hypersplenism (83), secondary hypersplenism following portal hypertension (72), diseases of the hemopoietic system (24), parasitic and infectious splenomegalies (13), rupture of the spleen or of splenic artery aneurisma (8). A number of 68 patients (34%) had a total of 73 complications following surgery. Of these 60 have recovered (30%) while 8 (representing 4% of the total), died. A total of 22 local or general septic complications were noted, as well as 20 complications generated by disturbances of the balance of fluids and/or of the coagulation system, 19 pleuro-pulmonary complications, 6 complications that were not specific for splenectomy, 5 pancreatic complications and 5 cases of hepatic failure.