Of the 346 cases of splenectomy, between 1981 and 1990 at Yonsei University College of Medicine, 72 splenectomies were performed in patients with hematologic diseases and
reviewed retrospectively. The incidence of splenectomy had not changed during that period. Of the 72 cases, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura were the most frequent
disease, and 61 cases(84.7%) were performed for therapeutic purpose to control anemia and thrombocytopenia, 4 cases for splenic infarct and 4 cases for staging work-up in
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Splenic congestion was the most frequent pathologic finding
and accessory spleen was found in 10 cases(13.9%). In idiopathic thrombocytopenic
purpura, the response rate was 63.6% and in hereditary spherocytosis, 100%. The overall
morbidity and mortality were 16.8%, 5.6% respecitively and the most common
complication were pneumonia and sepsis which were caused by Campylobacter fetus,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli.

Keywords: Spenectomy, Hematologic diseases