[Exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy in lymphogranulomatosis (author's transl)]

Exact determination of the extent of the disease is necessary for optimal treatment of lymphogranulomatosis. To this purpose 53 patients with lymphogranulomatosis had an exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy (42 adults and 11 children). On the basis of the operation results the pre-operative staging had to be revised in 14 patients and the treatment plan had to be changed in most cases. Lymphogranulomatosis of the spleen was demonstrable in 27 cases. Histologically the mixed-cell type was most commonly seen in the spleen. The size of the spleen was an unreliable diagnostic parameter as regards involvement with lymphogranulomatosis. In approximately a third of the adults with involved spleens the weight of the spleen was under 200 g. Hodgkin involvement of the liver was demonstrable in three patients; in these three cases splenic involvement coexisted. In seven patients post-operative complications occurred.