Post-splenectomy syndrome: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

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Post-splenectomy syndrome

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Spleen

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

These include:

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

Alternative Names

Splenectomy - post-surgery syndrome

Update Date: 3/2/2009

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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Post-splenectomy syndrome

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Alternative Names

Update Date: 3/2/2009