Is splenectomy necessary in people who have sickle cell disease?
Splenectomy is rarely required for people with sickle cell disease because the spleen shrinks during the course of the disease. The abnormal shape of sickled red blood cells causes them to get stuck in small blood vessels. This stops the delivery of oxygen to and removal of wastes from tissues, including the spleen. The spleen is especially at risk and usually scars to the point that it no longer functions. • What is thalassemia? Thalassemia is another form of congenital anemia in which red blood cells are cleared from the blood too quickly because of an abnormal protein in the cells. Often referred to as Mediterranean anemia, it is common in people of Mediterranean heritage, especially of Italian heritage. The disease is carried as a dominant gene. Some individuals have a severe form, known as thalassemia major or Cooley’s anemia. These individuals often benefit form splenectomy, which is usually delayed until adulthood. Others with thalassemia have a minor expression of the gene. The
