Evaluation of early postsplenectomy complications.

This study was done to define the incidence of early postsplenectomy complications and is based upon 688 splenectomies--mainly in malignant and nonmalignant hematologic conditions--performed during the period 1952 to 1986. In 354 patients, early postoperative complications were observed, among whom wound and pulmonary infections were most common. A fatal outcome was noted in 32 patients for a mortality rate of 4.7 per cent. The incidence of early complications after splenectomy is higher than after most other surgical procedures within the abdominal cavity and depends upon the underlying diseases which lead to splenectomy. Deficient immunologic defense mechanisms may be a significant factor in the development of early complications in patients after splenectomy.