Splenectomy: does it help in patients with thalassemia major

Objective: To determine the benefits of elective splenectomy in selected patients with thalassemia major

Study Design: Prospective descriptive study

Place of Study: Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro

Duration of Study: July 2014 to June 2015

Patients and Methods: 27 selected patients of Thalassemia major were evaluated after open elective splenectomy via midline incision for the benefits achieved post operatively

Results: Out of 27 patients 19 [70.3%] were male and 08[29.6%] were female, age ranges from 5-10 years with a mean age of 7 years. Out of 27 patients, 25 patients [81.48%] had a uneventful recovery, only 2 patients [7.4%] developed post-operative complications. No mortality was observed in this series. Post-operative long term maintenance of adequate hemoglobin and improved quality of life was observed in 26[96.29%] patients. Only 1[3.7%] patient who developed postoperative incisional hernia was not satisfied with the procedure

Conclusion: We conclude that splenectomy is a safe and beneficial procedure in selected patients of thalassemia major

Giant trichobezoar mimicking gastric tumour

Abstract: We present a case of giant gastric trichobezoar retrieved through a long gastrotomy in a 40 years old married women from rural Sindh with unreported psychological disturbance. Trichobezoar almost exclusively occur in females with an underlying psychiatric disorder. It has an insidious development of symptoms which accounts for its delayed presentation and large size at the time of diagnosis. They are associated with trichophagia [habit of compulsive hair eating] and are usually diagnosed on CT Scans or upper GI Endoscopy. They can give rise to complications like gastroduodenal ulceration, haemorrhage, perforation, peritonitis or obstruction with a high rate of mortality. The treatment is endoscopic, laparoscopic or surgical removal and usually followed by psychiatric opinion