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Post-splenectomy syndrome Health Article

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Table of Contents
Definition Alternative Names
Reviewer Info: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. ; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 03/02/2009

Definition

Post-splenectomy syndrome is a group of symptoms and signs that frequently occur after surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy).

These include:

  • Destruction of red blood cells
  • Increased susceptibility to severe infections, especially with organisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis
  • Thrombocytosis (increased platelet count, which can cause blood clots)

Alternative Names

Splenectomy - post-surgery syndrome
Spleen
Spleen

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