In Hereditary Spherocytosis, which procedure can be indicated but is not the definitive treatment?

• A. Cerebrospinal Fluid Drainage
• B. Splenectomy
• C. Bone Marrow Transplant
• D. Cholecystectomy

Answer: (D)

Hereditary spherocytosis involves a defect in the red cell membrane that makes RBCs easy to destroy by the spleen, so the spleen is the major site of hemolysis. Addressing that splenic destruction with splenectomy can markedly reduce hemolysis and correct anemia in many patients, making it a definitive treatment for the underlying problem—though not always curative in every case, and it carries infection risk after removal of the spleen. Pigment gallstones develop from chronic intravascular hemolysis and can cause biliary symptoms; removing the gallbladder is indicated to treat or prevent gallstone-related complications, but it does not fix the underlying RBC membrane defect. The other options do not address HS-related issues: cerebrospinal fluid drainage is unrelated, and bone marrow transplant is not a standard treatment for HS.