Treatment of asymptomatic gallstones in children with hereditary spherocytosis requiring splenectomy

Retrospective study of 52 pediatric HS patients shows that surgical removal of asymptomatic gallstones at time of splenectomy reduces adverse outcomes compared to observation (7.1% vs 42.1%). Gallstones >5mm carry highest risk, while smaller stones may spontaneously resolve post-splenectomy.