Splenectomy and complications: A complex different disease background, yet a common denominator exists
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Splenectomy is a major element in the treatment of hemoglobinopathies, such as transfusion dependent thalassaemia (TDT), non-transfusion dependent thalassaemia (NTDT), sickle cell anaemia (SCA), other red cell disorders like spherocytosis or other haematological diseases of autoimmune origin. A recent, long-year study describes a large series of splenectomized patients in Italy. The authors of this systematic work found that the probability of a post-splenectomy complication depends on the underlying disease and not on the age of the patient at splenectomy. Thus, splenectomy should be performed, when clinically indicated, regardless of the patient's age. The following commentary provides a critical evaluation of the results of the published study, discussing also the novelty, quality and limitations of this important work, in the perspective of current knowledge. Commentary on: Casale et al. Underlying disease is the main risk factor in post-splenectomy complication risk: Data from a national database. Br J Haematol 2025; 206:1811-1821.
Source: British Journal of Haematology
DOI: 10.1111/bjh.20159
Author: Michael D. Diamantidis
Institution: General Hospital of Larisa, Greece
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4410506552