Changing trends of splenectomy in hereditary spherocytosis: The experience of a reference Centre in the last 40 years

Abstract

We describe the clinical/haematological characteristics of 446 patients with hereditary spherocytosis diagnosed in the last 40 years in a reference centre. The frequency of splenectomy decreased over time (44% before 1990 to 7% in 2011-2020), notwithstanding a confirmed good efficacy. Age at splenectomy progressively increased (63% in children before 1990 to 88% in patients aged ≥20 years in 2011-2020). Our real-life experience showed that even a fraction of patients in the trait/mild categories (19/92, 21%) were splenectomised, whilst 30/78 (38%) in the moderate/severe groups were not. Overall, these data pinpoint to the increasing awareness about post-splenectomy thromboses and infections.

Keywords: cholecystectomy; complications; hereditary spherocytosis; pregnancy; splenectomy.