Role of splenectomy in Felty's syndrome.

To evaluate the effectiveness of splenectomy in the treatment of Felty's syndrome (association of rheumatoid arthritis, leukopenia, and splenomegaly), such experience from 1968 to 1972 at the University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham was analyzed. There were five patients with Felty's syndrome who underwent splenectomy. In all five patients, there was no operative morbidity, no blood transfusions were required, and leukopenia and susceptibility to infection were greatly improved; neutropenia disappeared in all but one patient. Splenectomy appears to benefit most patients with Felty's syndrome.