title: Results of splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Review of 72 cases.
abstract: Seventy-two patients underwent splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura between 1979 and 1990. Mean age at splenectomy was 36.4 years (range 11-73). Indications for splenectomy were corticodependence in 21 cases and resistance to steroids in 44 cases. Thirty-five patients had platelet kinetic studies by 51Cr alloplatelets; 22 of them had splenic sequestration. Hematologic results were evaluated on discharge, at 3 months and in the long term (median follow-up 5.4 years). We had no mortality, morbidity was seen in 7% of the cases. None of the patients suffered from secondary infectious complications. 89% had good results on discharge (> 120 x 10(9)/l), 72.6% at 3 months and 90% on long-term follow-up. Factors associated with good response to splenectomy included a high postoperative platelet count (more than 120 x 10(9)/l on discharge), younger age at the time of surgery, preoperative corticodependence and predominantly splenic sequestration.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naouri
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Feghali
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chabal
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boulez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dechavanne
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Viala
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tissot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012074:Remission Induction; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones