No beneficial effect of splenectomy in hereditary high red cell membrane phosphatidylcholine hemolytic anemia: clinical and membrane studies of 20 patients.

The clinical features and red cell membrane characteristics of 20 patients with hereditary high red cell membrane phosphatidylcholine hemolytic anemia (HPCHA) were studied in relation to the effect of splenectomy. After splenectomy, anemia worsened and the extent of increased hemolysis in these patients was unchanged, indicating a contraindication for splenectomy. Concomitant with these results in clinical hematology, marked stomatocytic changes, increased red cell phosphatidylcholine content, and enhanced sodium transport, which were observed before splenectomy, were not improved by splenectomy.