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Laparoscopic splenectomy for autoimmune hemolytic anemia in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case series and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Hill John,
Walsh R. Matthew,
McHam Scott,
Brody Fred,
Kalaycio Matt
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.10472
Subject(s) - autoimmune hemolytic anemia , medicine , splenectomy , chronic lymphocytic leukemia , anemia , hemolytic anemia , complication , surgery , autoimmune disease , leukemia , disease , spleen
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) complicated by autoimmune hemolytic anemia. A series of nine such patients who underwent this procedure at our institution between August 1997 and September 2001 were retrospectively reviewed. Seven of 9 patients who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy for CLL and autoimmune hemolytic anemia achieved a complete response. One patient who initially responded relapsed 12 weeks postoperatively. Therefore, six of 9 patients showed sustained responses with a mean follow‐up of 2 years, consistent with other published series. Two patients had no response, one of whom died within 3 weeks of surgery from transformed Hodgkin's disease. The only other postoperative complication occurred in a patient who developed pneumonia. We conclude that laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and effective treatment for autoimmune hemolytic anemia in patients with CLL who fail medical therapy. Am. J. Hematol. 75:134–138, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.