Evaluation of venous thromboembolism and malignancy development in splenectomized patients: A retrospective single-center study from a Southern Anatolian City (Isparta)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the incidence, localization, and time to onset of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) following splenectomy. A secondary aim was to identify the types of malignancies that develop after splenectomy and their latency period. Material and Methods: The study included 189 patients who underwent splenectomy at Süleyman Demirel University Research and Training Hospital between 01 January 2005 and 07 July 2023. The development of VTE and malignancy in these patients after the procedure was investigated. The etiologies for splenectomy were examined, and platelet levels were analyzed. Patients were categorized to perform subgroup analyses and comparisons. Results: A statistically significant relationship was identified between the development of thrombosis within the first month post-splenectomy and the last pre-splenectomy platelet count (p=0.045). At 1-6 months' post-splenectomy, 29.3% of patients with available data had a minimum platelet count exceeding 450,000/mm³. After 6 months, this figure was 10.9% for patients with available data. Portal vein thrombosis was the most frequent type of thrombosis observed, occurring in both the early and late post-operative periods. VTE developed in 4.2% of all splenectomized patients within the first month following the procedure. Among patients who underwent splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), 71.2% maintained a minimum platelet count above 30,000/mm³ after six months. No statistically significant association was found between the development of malignancy after splenectomy and the pre- or post-splenectomy platelet levels. Conclusion: Following splenectomy, thrombocytosis persists, though its frequency diminishes over time. Pre- and post-splenectomy platelet levels do not appear to influence the development of malignancy after the procedure.