Long-term complications of splenectomy in dogs with benign splenic disease are not associated with mortality.

Objective: Investigate long-term outcomes of dogs that underwent splenectomy for nonmalignant splenic disease and evaluate the risk of postsplenectomy sequelae.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series including 104 dogs undergoing splenectomy for a nonneoplastic cause. Medical records created between May 1, 2017, and July 31, 2021, for dogs with ≥ 6-month survival times were reviewed for patient signalment, weight, presence of hemoperitoneum at the time of surgery, indication for splenectomy, and histopathologic diagnosis. A survey was conducted over the phone with dog owners and referring veterinarians to obtain information on survival and incidence of volvulus or torsion of abdominal viscera, blood parasite infection, presumed vascular events, severe or repeated infection, and neoplasia following splenectomy. Survival analysis was performed to assess whether these outcome measures were correlated with mortality.

Results: Median follow-up time was 31.4 months (IQR, 19.75 to 45 months). Of 104 patients, 40 (38.5%) developed subsequent neoplasia after splenectomy, 13 (12.5%) experienced a presumed vascular event, 2 (1.9%) experienced a severe or repeated bacterial infection, and none were diagnosed with a blood parasite following splenectomy. Preoperative hemoperitoneum was diagnosed in 26 of 104 patients (25.0%). Preoperative hemoperitoneum, postoperative thrombosis event, subsequent neoplasia diagnosis, and postoperative infection were not predictors of survival beyond 6 months. Age at time of surgery was associated with survival.

Conclusions: Patients undergoing splenectomy for benign disease that experienced long-term sequelae were identified. However, an increased risk of death as a result of the complications was not observed.

Clinical relevance: Veterinary patients may experience long-term sequela following splenectomy; therefore, ongoing monitoring is recommended.