Splenectomy is contraindicated for thrombocytopenia secondary to portal hypertension

We believe that splenectomy is contraindicated in patients with portal hypertension and secondary hypersplenism. The greatest threat to life in this group of patients is variceal bleeding, and the primary consideration in the management of these patients should be to control this bleeding. Concomitant improvement in the hematologic indices of hypersplenism is achieved by DSRS.