Splenectomy is expected to cause
**Core Concept**
Splenectomy, or the surgical removal of the spleen, has significant implications for the body's immune and hematological systems. The spleen plays a crucial role in filtering the blood, storing red blood cells, and housing immune cells called macrophages and dendritic cells.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The spleen's primary function is to filter the blood and remove old, damaged red blood cells. After splenectomy, the liver and bone marrow take over this function, but the spleen's absence leads to an accumulation of older, damaged red blood cells in the circulation. This results in an increased level of indirect bilirubin, which is a breakdown product of hemoglobin. Elevated indirect bilirubin levels can cause jaundice, a condition characterized by a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because splenectomy does not directly affect the production of white blood cells, which is primarily the function of the bone marrow.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because while splenectomy can lead to an increased risk of infections due to the spleen's role in filtering the blood and housing immune cells, it is not the primary effect of splenectomy.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key consequence of splenectomy is an increased risk of sepsis and overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI), particularly from encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b.
**Correct Answer: D. Increased indirect bilirubin levels leading to jaundice.**