Trends in splenectomy in the Trent region 1972-85.

During the period 1972-85, 3712 splenectomies were performed in the Trent region giving a mean splenectomy rate of 5.8 per 100,000 population per year. Of these, 37.4% were incidental to other surgical operations and 23.4% were as a result of trauma. During this period there was a marked reduction in the splenectomy rate in children aged under 10 years for trauma and for haematological diseases. No such reduction was observed in older patients for these indications. Splenectomy for lymphoma fell progressively after 1977.