Background: Spleen is the largest organ of the mononuclear phagocytic system and is involved in all systemic inflammations, generalized hematopoietic disorders, and many metabolic disturbances. Splenectomy is frequently indicated where diagnosis is already established and the purpose of surgery being largely therapeutic in nature.
Objectives: The study aims to highlight the histomorphological patterns in the surgically resected splenectomy specimens received in our centre and to correlate with the clinical indications.
Materials and Methods: This was a seven year study of all splenectomy specimens received at histopathology section of Department of Pathology in a tertiary care hospital. All the histopathology slides were reviewed by the authors and the microscopic findings were studied and correlated with clinical data.
Results: Twenty two (22) spleen samples were received during the study period with a M:F=1: 1.2 . The age range was 2 years to 60 years. The highest number of splenectomy cases was in the age group of 11-20 years followed by 0-10 years age group. The majority of the cases of splenectomy were indicated for thalassemia (14 cases, i.e. 63.64% of all cases), followed by traumatic rupture and secondary malignancy with 2 cases each (9.09% cases each), one case each for splenic infarct, myelofibrosis, ITP and splenic tuberculosis.
Conclusion: Thalassemia was proved to be the commonest indication of splenectomy, followed by traumatic rupture and secondary malignancy in the spleen. Larger studies are needed for better understanding of this important organ and unnecessary splenectomies may thus be avoided.
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