Final answer:
A splenectomy may alleviate some anemia symptoms in hereditary spherocytosis by reducing hemolysis, but it does not cure the underlying condition, so anemia may still persist to some extent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked whether anemia persists following splenectomy in a patient with hereditary spherocytosis. Hereditary spherocytosis is a genetic condition that affects the red blood cells (RBCs), causing them to become sphere-shaped and prone to breakdown. This leads to a type of hemolytic anemia. A splenectomy, which is the surgical removal of the spleen, is a treatment sometimes used for hereditary spherocytosis because the spleen is responsible for filtering out and destroying abnormal RBCs. After a splenectomy, the lifespan of the RBCs may improve, which can alleviate some symptoms of anemia.
However, it's important to note that while a splenectomy can reduce the rate of hemolysis, it does not cure the underlying cause of the abnormal RBC shape. This means that anemia may still persist to some extent post-splenectomy, though it is often less severe. Ongoing medical management might be necessary to monitor and treat any remaining anemia or related complications.