Post-splenectomy complications
Show Alternative Names
Splenectomy - post-surgery syndrome
Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection
OPSI
Splenectomy - reactive thrombocytosis
Post-splenectomy complications can occur after surgery to remove the spleen. Complications may include:
- Blood clots
- Destruction of red blood cells
Destruction of red blood cells
Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Increased risk for severe infections from bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis
- Thrombocytosis (increased platelet count, which can cause blood clots)
Platelet count
A platelet count is a lab test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets are particles in the blood that help the blood clot. ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleBlood clots
Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Increased red and white blood cell counts
Possible Complications
Possible long-term medical problems include:
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Pulmonary hypertension (a disease affecting the blood vessels in your lungs)
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. It makes the right side of the heart work harder than normal.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Review Date:
2/2/2023
Reviewed By
Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Monsey, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
References
Nassar AK, Hawn M. The spleen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 57.
Ollila TA, Zayac AS, Schiffman FJ. The spleen and its disorders. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, Salama ME, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 156.
Shah AA, Zuberi MK, Cornwell EE. Injured spleen. In: Cameron AM, Cameron JL, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:1320-1326.
Disclaimer
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
All rights reserved.