[The role of splenectomy in the treatment of lymphomas of low malignancy].

The effect of splenectomy was studied in 30 patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma of low malignancy. Severe bacterial infections occurred in 9 patients. Follow-up of the total group of 72 patients-years revealed one infection requiring hospitalization per eight patient-years. With chronic lymphatic leukaemia there was no difference in the incidence of severe infection between splenectomized and non-splenectomized patients. In 12 patients the splenectomy produced favourable results in that in some (8) cytostatic treatment was no longer required, while in others (4) the dose of cytostatic drugs could be reduced after several months without any medication. Survival rate was not influenced by splenectomy.