Hereditary elliptocytosis surgery
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Hereditary elliptocytosis Microchapters |
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Differentiating Hereditary elliptocytosis from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Hereditary elliptocytosis surgery On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hereditary elliptocytosis surgery |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Hereditary elliptocytosis surgery |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Surgery
Because the spleen is the bodily organ which breaks down old and worn-out blood cells, those individuals with more severe forms of hereditary elliptocytosis can have a splenomegaly which causes a worsening of the signs and symptoms of their anaemia. These can include:
- Vague, poorly localised abdominal pain
- Fatigue and dyspnoea
- Growth failure
- Leg ulcers
- Gallstones.
Removal of the spleen (splenectomy) is effective in reducing the severity of these complications, but is associated with an increased risk of overwhelming bacterial septicaemia, and is only performed on those with significant complications. Because many neonates with severe elliptocytosis progress to have only a mild disease, and because this age group is particularly susceptible to pneumococcal infections, a splenectomy is only performed on those under 5 years old when it is absolutely necessary.