Subtotal splenectomy for treatment of retarted growth and sexual development associated with splenomegaly.

This communication presents a new alternative for the treatment of retarded growth and sexual development associated with spleno- megaly: subtotal splenectomy, preserving the upper splenic pole supplied only by the splenogastric vessels, to avoid adverse effects of total splenectomy. We performed this procedure associated with central splenorenal shunt or portal-variceal disconnection in 3 teenagers with portal hypertension due to Schistosomia-sis Mansoni, complicated by variceal bleedings. All of them presented retarded growth and sexual development. All patients had uneventful postoperative follow-up, and normal growth and sexual development after the surgery. Subtotal splenectomy should be considered for treatment dwarfism associated with splenomegaly.