The Effect of Splenectomy on the Leucocyte Count

Abstract

S ummary The effect of splenectomy on the peripheral blood leucocyte count has been studied in patients suffering from various types of hereditary haemolytic anaemias and in haematologically normal individuals. In each group of patients studied there was a marked increase in the total leucocyte count, and in the lymphocyte and monocyte counts, 3 months or more after splenectomy. The neutrophil count was also increased but to a lesser degree. The number of leucocytes of all categories in the peripheral blood did not seem to be influenced by the presence of anaemia persisting after splenectomy.