[Splenectomies for Hodgkin's disease--a study of the period 1984-1994]

Explorative laparotomy with ensuing splenectomy in Hodgkin's disease is applied for the first time in the Stanford University in the late 60-ies. Opinions on the pros and cons of the method in terms of number of cases, complications and the like are largely dissenting. The analysis covers 153 patients with Hodgkin's disease subjected to splenectomy. Primary diagnosis is made on the ground of lymph node biopsy. Wide spreading of the disease, coincidence of diagnoses in different locations and complications are briefly discussed, with recommendations made concerning improvement of the organization of sample handling and correlation with the clinical findings.