[Hematologic indications for splenectomy in childhood].

In 1988-1994 at the Pediatric Surgical Clinic, Faculty Hospital Motol splenectomy was performed in 66 children. Indication for splenectomy were haematological diseases (52), malignant and benign tumours (12) and congestive splenomegaly associated with cytopenia (2). The group does not comprise patients operated on account of injury. The most frequent haematological indications of splenectomy include haemolytic anaemia, chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, hypersplenism and other conditions (haematological malignancies). The investigation is focused on haematological indications of splenectomy in childhood and its effect on treatment of the basic disease. Splenectomy on account of hereditary spherocytosis was performed in 31 patients. In all after surgery normalization of the haemogram was recorded. Of 11 patients, who were operated on account of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in nine normalization or marked elevation of the number of thrombocytes was observed. In two patients the rise of thrombocytes was slight however haemorrhagic manifestations of the disease receded. One patient operated on account of thrombocytopenia linked to the X chromosome died. In nine patients operated on account of other haematological indications after splenectomy improved values of the haemogram were observed. The immune state of the patients was not investigated.