On Partial Splenectomy in Gaucher's Disease

To the Editor.— In a recent issue of Pediatrics (1985;76:398-401), Bar-Maor and Govrin-Yehudain describe three children with Gaucher's disease who had a partial splenectomy for hypersplenism and mechanical problems. Neither hypersplenism nor massive splenomegaly recurred in clinical follow-up that was 4, 3, and ½ years, respectively. We warn that partial splenectomy in patients with Gaucher's disease may not always be so long-lasting. Hypersplenism and splenomegaly recurred in our patient within 9 months. Our patient was a 4-year-old girl with the diagnosis of type III Gaucher's disease which was made at 2 years of age.