Abstract • 85

The study was carried out on 11 patients (age 26 days to 8 years) with localized splenic lesions or splenic disorders requiring splenectomy. Partial splenectomy was performed to avoid fulminating, overwhelming infections. There were one case of wandering spleen, 3 cases of traumatic rupture, five cases of thalassemia, one patient with Gaucher disease, and one patient with a splenic cyst. In the early post-spenectomy period, there was a significant rise in platelet counts (p < 0.001). Three months later, platelet counts were comparable to pre-operative levels (p > 0.05). Pitted cells and Howel-Jolly bodies were reported in the early and late post-operative periods. Serum IgM and IgG levels did not differ significantly between pre- and early and late post-operative values (p < 0.05). Thalassemic children had increased hemoglobin levels with reduced transfusion requirements. In conclusion, immunological and hematologic functions are preserved after partial splenectomy.