Splenectomy for cytopenias associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Splenectomy was performed in 20 patients with refractory cytopenias associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. An immediate and sustained increase in platelet count (greater than 150,000 cells/mm3) was achieved in 12 of 18 patients whose principal indication for operation was thrombocytopenia. Of seven patients with hemolytic anemia, which was linked with thrombocytopenia in five, six had an increase in the hematocrit value of 20 percent or more after operation. The white blood count increased to normal values in three leukopenic patients. We believe that although removal of the spleen is not uniformly successful in correcting cytopenias in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, splenectomy should be considered in patients refractory to other modalities of treatment.