Post-splenectomy complications

Post-splenectomy complications can occur after surgery to remove the spleen. Complications may include:

Blood clots
Destruction of red blood cells
Increased risk for severe infections from bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis
Thrombocytosis (increased platelet count, which can cause blood clots)
Increased red and white blood cell counts

Possible Complications

Possible long-term medical problems include:

Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
Pulmonary hypertension (a disease affecting the blood vessels in your lungs)

Alternative Names

Alternative Names has been expanded.

Splenectomy - post-surgery syndrome; Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection; OPSI; Splenectomy - reactive thrombocytosis

Images

Spleen

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.

Review Date 2/2/2023

Updated 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.