MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Post-splenectomy syndrome

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Post-splenectomy syndrome

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names	Definition

Illustrations

Spleen

Alternative Names Return to top

Splenectomy - post-surgery syndrome

Definition Return to top

Post-splenectomy syndrome is a group of symptoms and signs that frequently occur after surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy).

These include:

Thrombocytosis (increased platelet count, which can cause blood clots)
Destruction of red blood cells
Increased susceptibility to severe infections, especially with organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae

Update Date: 2/6/2007

Updated by: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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