Splenectomy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

In a retrospective study it was endeavoured to evaluate the effects of splenectomy in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) characterised by splenomegaly. The material comprises 42 patients subjected to the operation in the course of the past 20 years. In the majority the spleen weighed more than 1000 g. The main indication for splenectomy was anaemia, while in 9 cases it was thrombocytopenia and in 14 cases hypercatabolism. Splenectomy is followed by a pronounced increase in the venous haemoglobin level and platelet count to higher values which have been recorded for up to 3 years after the procedure. In cases where data were available, there has been weight gain and a falling basal metabolic rate. Splenectomy is effective especially in cases predominated exclusively by splenomegaly, but even in cases with marked extrasplenic manifestations, splenectomy often greatly reduces the need for prednisone and cytostatics. Increasing hepatomegaly and lymphomas were not more common after splenectomy than in a control series, and the incidence of infections was not increased after the operation. For comparison, 37 non-splenectomised patients with splenomegaly were assessed. X-radiation of the spleen seems to be insufficient, since usually it has to be repeated. Splenomegaly does not decrease spontaneously and rarely after treatment with prednisone/cytostatics. The findings indicate that splenectomy of patients with CLL and increasing splenomegaly should be performed more often and presumably also earlier than recommended in the literature.     

Splenectomy in mantle cell lymphoma with leukaemia: a comparison with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

We reviewed data on 63 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) with leukaemia (n = 16) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL, n = 47), splenectomized over a 10-year period. Primary indications for surgery were cytopenia(s) or autoimmune phenomena and progressive or refractory disease with splenomegaly. The spleens removed were on average larger in MCL (median 2.6 kg) than in CLL (1.0 kg). Splenectomy improved the blood counts in 62% of patients with MCL and 47% with stage C CLL, both with cytopenias. The MCL patients showed a decrease in the leucocytosis (medians 60.3-29.1 x 10(9)/l before and after splenectomy), whereas there was an increase in the leucocytosis in CLL (medians 24.2-44 x 10(9)/l). With a median follow up post splenectomy of 10 months (range: < 1-128), 18 patients (four MCL and 14 CLL) have not required further therapy for up to 66 months. We conclude that splenectomy is a useful treatment in MCL and advanced CLL for the correction of cytopenias, reducing the leucocyte count and allowing prolonged periods of clinical remission without therapy. Differences seen between MCL and CLL in spleen size, and in response of the leucocytosis suggest a central role for the spleen in the evolution of MCL with leukaemia.     

Durable complete remission of macroglobulinemia after splenectomy: A report of two cases and review of the literature

Two patients with macroglobulinemia (monoclonal lgM in the serum) and massive splenomegaly were incapacitated by progressive disease refractory to standard chemotherapy. In each case, palliative splenectomy was followed by a prompt, complete, and unexpected clinical remission with disappearance from the serum of the monoclonal IgM component. One patient remains free of disease 12 years after splenectomy. The other patient remained free of detectable macroglobulinemia for 13 years after splenectomy. A review of the literature revealed other cases of remission of macroglobulinemia attributable to splenectomy alone. Data in humans and animals suggest that the spleen may facilitate IgM secretion by normal and malignant B lymphocytes. Splenectomy should be considered a possible treatment option for patients with massive splenomegaly and macroglobulinemia who progress on chemotherapy. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Spleen irradiation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): palliation in patients unfit for splenectomy

In 22 patients with CLL given 30 courses of spleen irradiation, 23 responses were observed (77%, 95% confidence limits, 58-90%). Response was defined as reduction in palpable spleen size accompanied by relief of symptoms (pain, abdominal discomfort, and sweating) or improvement in hypersequestration or hemolytic anemia. Reduction in leukocyte count alone was not regarded as response. All responses were partial. The median response duration was 1 year. Subsequently, three patients underwent splenectomy. The median survival from the beginning of spleen irradiation was 2.5 years (range: 1 month-greater than 5 years). Only six patients had minor side effects from the gastrointestinal tract. The hematologic effect was most pronounced on the white blood cell count, but also the platelet count was affected. It is concluded that spleen irradiation is a gentle and effective alternative in CLL patients suffering from splenomegaly (pain and hypersplenism), refractory to chemotherapy and glucocorticosteroids and unfit for splenectomy. Splenic irradiation may also be used with benefit preoperatively before splenectomy in patients with excessive splenomegaly and hypersplenism.     

The significance of splenomegaly in 101 adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at presentation and during remission

One-hundred-one adult patients with ALL were analyzed to determine the prognostic implications of splenomegaly occurring at any time during the course of their illness. The clinical status of the spleen at presentation was not found to be of major prognostic significance. Complete response rates, remission durations, and survivals did not differ between patients with and without splenomegaly at presentation. An enlarged spleen accompanied relapse in four patients. In six additional patients, splenomegaly was present during complete remission, and splenectomies performed in five of these patients revealed no evidence of leukemia to account for the splenomegaly. Splenectomy does not appear to be detrimental, as all five patients are currently in complete remission from 20 to 63 mo after splenectomy. Evidence implicating the spleen as a source of an antibody directed against autologous leukemia cells in one patient is reviewed.     

Splenectomy improves liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Partial splenic embolization or splenectomy has been reported to improve liver function as well as hypersplenism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of splenectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) on liver function. METHODOLOGY: Twelve consecutive patients with LC were followed for more than 6 months using laboratory examinations, ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography. Portal blood flow was measured using color Doppler US before and after splenectomy in 6 cases. RESULTS: Hypersplenism was improved in all patients. Protein synthesis in the liver was improved, which significantly correlated with these patients' increased liver volume. Having a large spleen and a low serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are predictive factors for favorable improvement of liver function after splenectomy. Splenectomy was safely carried out in all patients without major complications except for portal thrombus occurred in 4 patients, but did not affect liver function if it was well treated. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy improved liver function in patients with LC, and could be a supportive and bridging therapy for patients waiting for liver transplantation, especially with large spleen and lower ALT levels.     

Splenectomy in advanced chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

A group of 20 patients with stage C chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and marked splenomegaly refractory to anti-leukaemia treatment was evaluated in relation to clinical course and survival after splenectomy, and compared with a control group of non-splenectomised CLL patients at the same disease stage. Patients in the former group showed a significant clinical improvement after splenectomy, being reallocated to, and maintained in, stages A (85%) or B (10%) for more than 24 months. Ten patients were still alive 24-135 months after splenectomy. The 10 deaths observed in the group of splenectomised patients occurred 4-69 months after surgery, due to disease progression and/or immunoblastic transformation (4 cases), infectious complications (3 cases) and unrelated causes (3 cases). Analysis of survival from diagnosis showed a significantly better prognosis for patients in the splenectomised group (median survival 10 years, as compared to 3.5 years for the control group). The same statistical difference, p less than 0.001, with better life expectancy for splenectomised patients, was observed when the survival was calculated from the time of progression to stage C. These results strongly suggest a beneficial role for splenectomy in advanced CLL with significant splenomegaly, when the accumulation of resistant lymphoid cells precludes an adequate control of the disease by conventional forms of treatment.     

DISCUSSION

Erythrocyte sequestration was studied in 24 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) by infusion of autologous ⁵¹Cr-labelled erythrocytes followed by surface measurements at regular intervals over the spleen, liver, and heart. To obtain a comparable expression of the accumulation of activity in spleens of different sizes, the splenic surface activities were corrected. The correction factors were determined using fluid-filled balloons (simulating spleens) with the same amount of activity. In 19 patients with CLL the splenic erythrocyte pool increased with increasing spleen weight (500–4, 300 g). Moreover, the erythrocyte sequestration in the spleen increased with increasing pool. The maintenance of a large erythrocyte pool makes increased demands upon the erythropoiesis, which is perhaps already insufficient, and an increased splenic erythrocyte sequestration contributes to reducing the number of circulating erythrocytes. Splenectomy is invariably followed by increasing haemoglobin level and an average 30% increase of erythrocyte survival (22–48%). In cases of CLL plus splenomegaly the indications for splenectomy appear to be fairly simple, but may be supported by the demonstration of a large splenic erythrocyte pool and a large splenic erythrocyte destruction. The studies support the likelihood of lymphocytic infiltration in the liver (increased accumulation of activity), a finding which seems of prognostic significance.     

Non-Tropical Idiopathic Splenomegaly (Dacie's Syndrome)

We describe 5 patients, aged 22–69 years, with massive splenomegaly of unknown origin and features of hypersplenism. Splenectomy corrected the cytopenia(s) and abolished the symptoms in each case; the histological features of the spleen were non-specific and included congestive changes and lymphoid hyperplasia. 2 of these patients developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) 2 and 6 years after spenectomy. A total of 46 cases of splenomegaly of unknown origin have been reported from UK, USA, and Australia so far, and in 9, NHL developed 8 to 80 months after splenectomy. The questions relating to the pathogenesis of splenomegaly and the subsequent development of NHL remain to be answered. We propose that this ‘entity’ be known as Dacie's syndrome, after Sir John Dacie who characterised it in 1969.     

巨脾型晚期血吸虫病的若干临床分析

分析1102例晚期血吸虫病(晚血)临床资料,结果表明,巨脾型晚血最多见,占52.2%(575/1102).脾切除仍为治疗巨牌型晚血的主要手段.晚血的乙型肝炎,肺结核及恶性肿瘤的患病率较高,对乙肝疫苗的免疫应答差.脾切除未增加上述疾病的患病率,但可改善晚血患者对乙肝疫苗的免疫应答.     

Splenectomy in advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a single institution experience with 50 patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of splenectomy in the treatment of refractory cytopenias associated with advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The histories of 57 patients with CLL who underwent splenectomy at the Mayo Clinic between 1975 and 1991 were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 57 patients, 50 underwent splenectomy for reasons directly related to their disease process such as cytopenias or symptomatic splenomegaly. The histories from these 50 patients were studied to assess the response to splenectomy and the operative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Ninety-four percent of patients were in Rai stage III or IV with extensive marrow infiltration, massive splenomegaly, and cytopenias refractory to chemotherapy. A positive response to splenectomy was defined at 3 months of follow-up as: (1) a hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL or greater in a patient with a preoperative value less than 11 g/dL; or (2) a platelet count of 100 x 10(3)/mm3 or greater in a patient with a preoperative value less than 100 x 10(3)/mm3. A positive response was achieved in 77% of patients with anemia, 70% of patients with thrombocytopenia, and 64% of patients with both anemia and thrombocytopenia. The response was sustained at 1 year of follow-up in 86%, 84%, and 85% of the patients, respectively. Postoperative transfusion requirements decreased correspondingly. The operative morbidity was 26%, and the operative mortality was 4%. The mean duration of hospitalization was 9.8 days (median: 9 days; range: 5 to 24 days). The actuarial median survival after splenectomy was 41 months in responders and 14 months in nonresponders. We found no preoperative parameters that were clearly predictive of a poor hematologic response. In particular, outcome was not affected by preoperative spleen size or the degree of marrow infiltration by CLL. All patients with symptomatic splenomegaly had an improved sense of well-being. CONCLUSION: In this, the largest single institution study to date, we found splenectomy to be efficacious in providing durable remissions of refractory cytopenias and in relieving symptomatic splenomegaly in the majority of patients with CLL. The procedure is associated with a low perioperative mortality. Although the impact on survival is uncertain, the improved peripheral blood counts may allow the administration of adequate doses of myelosuppressive chemotherapy.     

Splenectomy following JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor therapy in patients with myelofibrosis undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation

BackgroundAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) is the only treatment option with curative potential in patients with myelofibrosis (MF). The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety of splenectomy before alloHSCT in MF patients who failed to achieve significant spleen response after ruxolitinib therapy.MethodsSplenectomy was performed in 12 patients for alloHSCT with myelofibrosis—primary (6 patients), post-polycythemia vera (3 patients). or postessential thrombocythemia (3 patients) between 2016 and 2018. The patients were prospectively included in the study if persistence of splenomegaly ≥ 25 cm was documented after at least 3 months of ruxolitinib therapy. In eight patients subsequent alloHSCT was performed.ResultsMedian length of hospital stay was 11 (8–30) days, median follow-up after splenectomy was 20.0 (0.6–31.1) months. No deaths were documented, perioperative morbidity was 50%. Three patients experienced portal vein thrombosis and one experienced splenic vein thrombosis. One patient developed pancreonecrosis and subdiaphragmatic abscess. Mean leukocyte count was significantly higher 1 month after splenectomy than before, 10.7 ± 1.7 versus 6.9 ± 2.3 × 109/L (p = 0.03). Platelets rate significantly elevated starting Day + 7 after splenectomy (p = 0.01). Median time between splenectomy and alloHSCT was 2.6 (0.17–4.5) months. All patients achieved engraftment. In early posttransplant period no cases of severe sepsis, intraabdominal infections were documented. One patient died after alloHSCT due to thrombotic microangiopathy. Seven patients are alive in disease complete remission. No relapses after alloHSCT were observed. Two-year overall survival in the whole group is 90% (95%CI 98–43%).ConclusionSplenectomy before alloHSCT might be a promising option in patients who failed to achieve significant spleen response after ruxolitinib therapy.     

The scintigraphic index spleen/liver at 30 minutes predicts the success of splenectomy in persistent and chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia

Splenectomy is considered the second-line of treatment in patients with chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in whom glucocorticoids have failed. Some patients do not respond to splenectomy or they have postoperative complications. Based on our previous experience using kinetic and scintigraphic parameters, we did a retrospective study with the aim of comparing all these parameters as a means of predicting the success of splenectomy in persistent and chronic primary ITP. Forty-one consecutive patients with chronic primary ITP refractory to prednisone, who had been splenectomized, were included in the study. The response to splenectomy was assessed by evaluating bleeding and platelet counts before and at different times after surgery. A complete platelet kinetic study was performed before the splenectomy using autologous (111) In-labeled platelets. The scintigraphic parameters measured included different indices between spleen/heart, liver/hearth, and spleen/liver. Thirty-six patients gave a complete response after splenectomy and five patients did not respond. A statistically significant difference between both groups was found with initial platelet recovery and with some scintigraphic indices which also showed a variable prediction value for the success of splenectomy. Among these indices, the spleen/liver at 30 minutes demonstrated a predictive value with a 100% of sensitivity and a 100% of specificity. Conclusion: some platelet kinetic parameters and scintigraphic indices, in particular the spleen/liver at 30 minutes, were useful to predict the outcome of splenectomy in persistent and chronic primary ITP and, therefore, they should be taken into account when deciding whether or not to perform a splenectomy.     

Risks and benefits of splenectomy versus no splenectomy for hereditary spherocytosis – a personal view

Splenectomy is indicated in hereditary spherocytosis to relieve symptoms due to anaemia or splenomegaly, reverse growth failure or skeletal changes due to over-robust erythropoiesis, and prevent recurrent gallstones. A life-long risk of bacterial infection has been recognised for many years as a concomitant cost of splenectomy. The scope of this risk has expanded to include a number of organisms beyond the triad of pneumococcus, meningococcus, and haemophilus influenzae. Recently, it has been demonstrated that splenectomy also confers a significant risk of delayed adverse vascular events in patients with hereditary spherocytosis, just as it does in patients undergoing splenectomy for other indications. Further, these same studies demonstrated a benefit of avoiding splenectomy: hereditary spherocytosis patients with a spleen have significantly fewer adverse vascular events than unaffected family members, probably because of the protective effect of chronic, mild anaemia. Accordingly, this review marshals the evidence favouring a conservative approach to splenectomy in spherocytosis.     

Splenectomy in Haematology Indications,Results, and Complications in 41 Cases

The indications for, effect of, and immediate complications of splenectomy are reported on the basis of 41 patients followed for from 3 months to 3 years after the operation. There is a general indication for splenectomy in hereditary spherocytosis, but in other cases of haemolytic anaemia splenectomy appears to presuppose proof that the spleen is playing the main role in the erythrocyte sequestration. In chronic lymphatic leukaemia splenectomy may evidently be advised on the basis of fairly simple clinical findings: Disease activity that calls for treatment, e.g. weight loss, a tendency to sweating as well as anaemia, thrombocytopenia, combined with considerable splenomegaly as the predominant focus. The time of splenectomy should not be delayed as long as possible, as decisive items of risk appear to increase with the duration of the disease. For instance, pronounced splenomegaly gives rise to special problems, and long-lasting cytostatic and corticoid medication as well as progression of the basic disease will increase the incidence of postoperative complications. Haemorrhage from the splenic bed and infection, most often with a pulmonary focus, were recorded as the most common operative complications. Their incidence was particularly high in operations on patients having chronic lymphatic leukaemia.     

Fibrocongestive splenomegaly in sickle cell disease: a distinct clinicopathological entity in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia

Sickle cell disease displays a unique progression in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, where splenomegaly with hypersplenism is noted with high frequency in the adolescent and adult patients. The late persistence of splenomegaly although likely reflects the milder progression of sickle cell disease in this region; nevertheless, it predisposes the patients to increased morbidity. The present study documents the characteristic clinicopathological features of splenomegaly associated with sickle cell disease in the Al-Hassa region of Eastern province Saudi Arabia. Forty-four cases of sickle cell disease patients in whom splenectomy was performed during 1999-2003 were studied. The hemoglobinopathy profiles of the patients (age range 5-42 years) comprised sickle cell anemia (8 cases), sickle cell anemia with high fetal hemoglobin (23 cases), and sickle cell-beta degrees thalassemia (13 cases). All patients had manifestations of hypersplenism and 39 patients experienced episodes of minor-type sequestration crisis. Splenectomy was effective in ameliorating the hematological abnormalities in all cases, without any major complications in the follow-up period. The splenectomy specimens showed moderate-to-marked enlargement in most cases, with histological features of fibrocongestive splenomegaly and prominent Gandy-gamma body formations. Micro-infarcts in 27 cases and gross infarctions in 9 cases were evident. The relationship of persistent splenomegaly with higher fetal hemoglobin levels and splenic hypofunction is examined along with the significance of splenectomy in these cases.     

不明原因发热伴脾肿大时脾切除术的临床意义

目的　探讨不明原因发热伴脾肿大时脾切除术病理学检查的临床意义。方法　回顾分析了我院血液内科1996年以来以不明原因发热收住院,除发热、脾肿大外无其他明显阳性体征,且辅助检查也不能做出病因诊断的35例患者的临床资料,所有患者均行剖腹探查加脾切除术,并获得病理学检查结果。结果　35例患者中,非霍奇金淋巴瘤17例(占486%),霍奇金淋巴瘤5例,恶性组织细胞病2例,结缔组织病5例,慢性淤血性脾肿大2例,噬血细胞综合征、脾陈旧性梗死、脾结核和脾血管肉瘤各1例。结论　发热伴脾肿大而不能明确诊断时,应动员患者尽早作诊断性脾切除术并送病理学检查,以免延误诊断和治疗。     

Endothelin-1 derived from spleen-activated Rho-kinase pathway in rats with secondary biliary cirrhosis

Aim: Splenectomy or partial splenic embolism has been reported to improve liver function in patients with hypersplenism and liver dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of improvement after splenectomy. Methods: Liver cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Rats underwent sham operation, splenectomy (Sp group), BDL, or BDL plus splenectomy (BDL + Sp group), and were subjected to experiments at 2 weeks after the operation. Portal venous pressure (PVP) and hepatic tissue blood flow (HTBF) were measured in each group. The plasma concentration of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), RhoA and Rho‐kinase expressions were studied. Results: There were significant differences in PVP (17.9 ± 0.91 vs 23.3 ± 3.91 cmH₂O; P < 0.01) and HTBF (16.6 ± 1.72 vs 13.3 ± 1.82 mL/min; P < 0.01) between the BDL + Sp and BDL groups. In the liver of BDL rats, eNOS phosphorylation and NOx levels were decreased, accompanied by RhoA activation compared with the BDL + Sp group. Splenectomy decreased serum ET‐1 levels, RhoA activation and consequently increased eNOS phosphorylation. Conclusion: ET‐1 derived from the spleen might increase intrahepatic resistance by downregulating Rho signaling in liver cirrhosis. Splenectomy for splenomegaly in liver cirrhosis might partially improve liver function by enhancing intrahepatic microcirculation.     

区域性门静脉高压症的临床分析

目的 探讨区域性门静脉高压症(RPH)的病因、临床特点和诊治方法.方法 回顾性分析2005年1月至2010年6月收治的26例RPH患者临床资料.分析26例患者的临床首发症状、血常规、肝功能、乙型和丙型肝炎标志物、肿瘤标志物、腹部超声、腹部增强CT、胃镜检查结果,以及16例行腹部CT血管造影(CTA)者的检查结果.结果 胰源性疾病(18例)是RPH主要病因.临床表现为脾肿大26例,无规律性上腹痛14例,上消化道出血10例.内镜检查示孤立性胃底静脉曲张25例,同时合并食管下段静脉曲张1例.4例行内镜下胃底曲张静脉组织胶注射止血,4例行脾脏切除术,2例行脾脏切除+贲门血管离断术,2例行脾脏切除+胰尾切除+脾肾静脉分流术,3例行脾脏栓塞治疗.结论 RPH常伴胰腺疾病,表现为脾肿大、脾功能亢进,但肝功能正常、无肝硬化,孤立性胃底静脉曲张是其特征性表现.良性病因所致的RPH可治愈.伴消化道出血者脾脏切除的疗效优于单纯内镜下止血治疗.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of regional portal hypertension (RPH).Methods The clinical data of 26 patients with RPH treated in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between January 2005 and June 2010 were analyzed with retrospective analysis.The first symptom, routine analysis of blood, liver function test, hepatitis B and C markers, tumor markers, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal enhanced CT, endoscopy findings of 26 patients and the results of abdominal CT angiography (CTA) of 16cases were analyzed.Results Pancreatic disease (18 cases) was the leading cause of RPH.The main clinical manifestations of splenomegaly in 26 cases, irregularly abdominal pain in 14 cases, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 10 cases.Isolated gastric varices were revealed by endoscopy in 25 cases,complicated with lower esophageal varices in 1 case.4 cases with endoscopic tissue glue injection in gastric variceal bleeding, splenectomy in 4 cases, 2 cases with splenectomy and pericardialdevascularization, 2 cases with splenectomy, pancreatic tail resection and spleno-renal shunt, 3 cases with splenic embolization treatment.Conclusions RPH often accompanied by pancreatic disease,manifested as splenomegaly, hypersplenism, but normal liver function, absence of liver cirrhosis.Isolated gastric varices is the characteristic features of RPH.RPH caused by benign diseases is curable.Splenectomy is more effective than simple endoscopic hemostasis in RPH associated with gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Splenectomy in patients with malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Splenectomy in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is performed for either diagnostic or therapeutic reasons. We report on a series of 29 patients with NHL and splenomegaly who underwent splenectomy during the years 1979-1998 in our hospital. According to the indication for splenectomy our patients were categorized in three groups. Group A: In 20 patients splenectomy was performed for diagnostic reasons. Group B: Three patients were splenectomized for autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). Group C: Six patients underwent splenectomy because of hypersplenism. A definitive histopathological diagnosis of NHL was obtained in all patients of group A. Hypersplenism and AIHA were resolved in all patients after splenectomy. One (3.5%) patient died postoperatively because of septicemia complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Six postoperative complications were observed in 4 (14%) patients. Splenectomy, with an acceptable surgical risk, has the potential to establish the diagnosis of NHL in patients with splenomegaly without lymphadenopathy and negative bone marrow findings. Moreover, splenectomy has the capacity to modify the disease course in patients with NHL complicated by AIHA or hypersplenism.