title: Accessory splenectomy in the management of recurrent immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: Although splenectomy for chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is successful in the majority of patients, recurrence of thrombocytopenia may occur in association with a functional accessory spleen, sometimes years after operation. Identification and resection of the accessory spleen under these circumstances may result in a sustained remission. We describe a case of recurrent thrombocytopenia associated with an accessory spleen occurring 5 years after splenectomy in a young woman with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Accessory splenectomy was successful in producing a sustained remission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614-0575, USA.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Votaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D013154:Spleen / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013156:Splenectomy