M Al Harbi1. 1. Department of Surgery, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the pre-operative predictors of morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing elective splenectomy for non-trauma indications. METHODS: Analysis of 123 patients who underwent splenectomy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between 1986-1996. Data collected included patients' demographic data, indication for splenectomy, laboratory data, details of operative procedure and postoperative events for morbidity and mortality. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Of the patients, 69% were males and 31% females with ages ranging from 13-72 years (mean 39 years). Portal hypertension constituted 55% of the indications and benign hematological conditions 26%. The morbidity rate was 27.6% and the commonest complication was chest and wound infection in 6.6% and 5.7%, respectively. Age of >50 years, pre- and postoperative haematocrit of <33%, thoraco-abdominal approach and operative time of >120 min had P values of < 0.05, <0.002, <0.03 and <0.03, respectively for postsplenectomy mortality. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, age of >50 years is a significant predictor for morbidity following splenectomy, whereas age >50 years, pre- and postoperative haematocrit of <33%, thoraco-abdominal approach and operative duration >120 min were significant predictors of postsplenectomy mortality.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the pre-operative predictors of morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing elective splenectomy for non-trauma indications. METHODS: Analysis of 123 patients who underwent splenectomy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between 1986-1996. Data collected included patients' demographic data, indication for splenectomy, laboratory data, details of operative procedure and postoperative events for morbidity and mortality. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Of the patients, 69% were males and 31% females with ages ranging from 13-72 years (mean 39 years). Portal hypertension constituted 55% of the indications and benign hematological conditions 26%. The morbidity rate was 27.6% and the commonest complication was chest and wound infection in 6.6% and 5.7%, respectively. Age of >50 years, pre- and postoperative haematocrit of <33%, thoraco-abdominal approach and operative time of >120 min had P values of < 0.05, <0.002, <0.03 and <0.03, respectively for postsplenectomy mortality. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, age of >50 years is a significant predictor for morbidity following splenectomy, whereas age >50 years, pre- and postoperative haematocrit of <33%, thoraco-abdominal approach and operative duration >120 min were significant predictors of postsplenectomy mortality.