Abstract
Ten patients with chronic myeloid leukemia underwent splenectomy in order to prolong their survival, and its effects and postoperative hematological changes were studied.
The time from the onset of disease until operation ranged from 3 to 70 months, and the stages of the disease at splenectomy were uncontrolled (1 case), accelerated (2), or controlled (7). The operations were performed between October 1975 and March 1977.
Postoperative hematological changes: Marked postoperative increases were seen in white blood cell counts, platelet counts and NAP scores. Particularly, increases in platelet counts continued for several months, making postoperative control extremely difficult.
Postoperative complications: Duodenal ulcer, hemorrhage, infection, and thrombosis due to thrombocytosis were found. Particularly, the loss of conciousness and convulsions due to cerebral thrombosis were over an extended period, and significantly disturbed their lives.
There was, however, no death due directly to the surgery or complications.
Period of survival: Including the 3 current survivors, the mean survival from the onset was 41.5 months and the median survival being 36.5 months. One of the 3 survivors is currently in an acute stage and other 2 survivors are in state of remission 37 and 28 months after operation respectively.
