Splenectomy in Sickle Cell Anemia: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature.

1. A case of sickle cell anemia who had numerous hemolytic crises and also hypersplenic effects such as pancytopenia was treated by splenectomy with marked improvement in general condition and in the blood. The literature relating to this subject is reviewed. Those cases with the largest spleens appear to have shown the most striking degrees of improvement. 2. In cases of sickle cell anemia showing various indications of hypersplenism, and excessive hemolysis, splenectomy may be a rational therapeutic procedure.