Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

3-1-2004

Journal

American Journal of Hematology

Volume

75

Issue

3

DOI

10.1002/ajh.10472

Keywords

Anemia; Autoimmune; Hemolysis; Leukemia; Splenectomy

Abstract

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. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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