[Splenectomy for massive splenomegaly. Apropos of 36 cases]

Thirty-six splenectomies for splenomegaly exceeding 1000 grams are reported. The enlargement of the spleen most often was related with a malignant disease (n = 32). Cytopenia was the main indication in 14 cases, and splenectomy was contemplated for diagnosis (n = 12), initial treatment (n = 6), or due to pain (n = 3) or spontaneous rupture (n = 1). Ten patients (27.8%) had an associated surgical treatment. One patient died postoperatively (2.8%) and 12 patients presented with 14 complications (33%) usually with a rapidly favorable evolution. In 11 of 12 cases (91.6%), the operation allowed establishing the diagnosis in cases of splenomegaly with an unknown origin. Lastly, it was always effective to relieve pain and in most cases improved cytopenia. The authors conclude that the patients with massive splenomegaly are improved by splenectomy, although it most often is merely a palliative treatment in cases of malignant hemopathy.