Objective: To evaluate the correlation of portal vein thrombosis and splenectomy in beta-thalassemia major patients visiting Babol Medical University, Iran.
Methods: This cohort study was done from 1997 to 2008. In our study, major beta-thalassemic patients visiting for transfusion at least once a month at Amirkola Children's Hospital were selected. Portal vein thrombosis was diagnosed through Doppler ultrasound in symptomatic patients. Cases were 160 beta-thalassemia major patients who underwent splenectomy and 160 remaining thalassemic patients without splenectomy were controls. Statistical comparison with Fisher exact test was performed.
Results: Five cases had suffered from portal vein thrombosis (P = 0.03). Majority patients with portal vein thrombosis had their symptoms after first month of the operation.
Conclusion: Correlation of splenectomy with portal vein thrombosis is statistically significant among beta-thalassemic children from Iran.