Evaluation of venous thromboembolism and malignancy development in splenectomized patients: A retrospective single-center study from a Southern Anatolian City (Isparta)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study investigates the incidence, anatomical localization, and time to onset of deep vein thrombosis and venous thromboembolism (VTE) following splenectomy. A secondary objective was to identify which malignancies developed after splenectomy, as well as the time interval between splenectomy and the detection of these malignancies. We retrospectively analyzed 189 patients who underwent splenectomy at Süleyman Demirel University Research and Training Hospital between January 01, 2005 and July 07, 2023. Post-procedural VTE and malignancy development, splenectomy etiologies, and serial platelet counts were evaluated. Patients were stratified for subgroup analysis. Higher pre-splenectomy platelet counts are associated with an increased risk of early post-procedural thrombosis. Platelet levels do not appear to influence the long-term risk of malignancy. Results: A significant association was found between the last pre-splenectomy platelet count and the development of thrombosis within the first postoperative month ( P = .045). Overall, VTE occurred in 4.2% of patients within the first month, with portal vein thrombosis being the most common type in both early and late periods. Persistent thrombocytosis (platelets > 4,50,000/mm 3 ) was present in 29.3% of patients at 1 to 6 months and 10.9% after 6 months. In the immune thrombocytopenic purpura subgroup, 71.2% of patients maintained a platelet count above 30,000/mm 3 after 6 months. We found no significant association between pre- or post-splenectomy platelet levels and the subsequent development of malignancy.
Source: Medicine
Institution: Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi
Language: English
Subfield: Internal Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,950
OpenAlex ID: W7128814225