title: Long term follow-up after splenectomy performed for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
abstract: Splenectomy is the only treatment of ITP known to have "curative" effects in a substantial fraction of patients. However, the true long-term outcome is uncertain and controversial because published series have not adjusted for the duration of follow-up. This IRB-approved retrospective study included all patients with ITP who underwent splenectomy between 1988-1993 at three major medical centers and required a minimum postoperative 5-year follow-up. Complete response (CR) was defined as all postsplenectomy platelet counts >150 x 10(9)/L without treatment; partial response (PR) as platelet counts > or =50 x 10(9)/L without treatment; and failure as platelet counts <50 x 10(9)/L or receiving therapy after splenectomy. Seventy-five patients identified with ITP underwent splenectomy from 1988 to 1993. Three patients died prior to 5-year follow-up, and 56 of the 72 patients (78%) were evaluable with follow-up for five years or longer, median 7.5 years. The immediate postoperative complete remission rate was 77%; 57% of patients have remained in prolonged CR. Thirty-seven patients (66%) have not required any therapy after splenectomy. Eight patients had platelet counts >150 x 10(9)/L for 4-8.5 years before relapsing; no clear plateau was attained in the remission curve. There was no operative mortality. Ten patients (18%) reported minor postoperative bleeding episodes. No life-threatening infections, significant heart disease, or pulmonary hypertension developed after splenectomy in the 434 patient-years of follow-up. This study helps to define the long-term results of splenectomy for ITP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Melissa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Leber
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gillis
authors.forename: Austin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giunta
authors.forename: Amiram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eldor
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bussel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome