[Indications for splenectomy in non-malignant systemic diseases].

The benign systemic disorders with involvement of the spleen are divided into haematologic diseases, thesaurismosis, collagenosis, morbus Boeck, infectious diseases, parasitosis and others. 4/5 of the cases are haematologic diseases of the erythrocytic, the thrombocytic and lymphatic system as well as myeloproliferative and aplastic syndromes. 227 of 1214 splenectomies of the last 20 years were done in benign systemic diseases. The functional and mechanical hypersplenism as a rule is the cause for operation. The specific indications, the medical pretreatment and the combination of surgery and non-surgical measures are discussed.