The coagulation and fibrinolytic response to splenectomy
Butler, M.J.; Britton, B.J.; Hawkey, C.; Smith, M.; Irving, M.H.
Surgery Gynecology and Obstetrics 142(5): 731-736
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6087 PMID: 1265614 Document Number: 107371
The responses of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in nine patients with Hodgkin's disease undergoing splenectomy and lymph node mapping have been compared with those in nine patients undergoing elective upper abdominal operation for benign conditions. Differences have been noted in base line levels of fibrinogen, prothrombin, partial thromboplastin time and euglobulin lysis time. Platelet count increases were exaggerated following splenectomy, but other parameters of coagulation activity behaved similarly in the two groups. There is no evidence from this study to support the suggestion that blood coagulability is increased more markedly following splenectomy than it is after other upper abdominal operations.