What is the most common complication following open splenectomy?
A. PancreatitisComplications following splenectomy can be divided into pulmonary, hemorrhagic, infectious, pancreatic, and thromboembolic. Pulmonary complications include left lower lobe atelectasis, pleural effusion, and pneumonia with left lower lobe atelectasis being the most common complication overall. Hemorrhagic complications include intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative hemorrhage, and subphrenic hematoma. Infectious complications include subphrenic abscess and wound infection. Placement of a drain in the left upper quadrant can be associated with postoperative subphrenic abscess and is therefore not routinely recommended. Pancreatic complications include pancreatitis, pseudocyst formation, and pancreatic fistula and often result from intraoperative trauma to the pancreas during dissection of the splenic hilum. Thromboembolic complications include deep vein thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis.