Predicting response to splenectomy in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
OBJECTIVE
Predicting the response to splenectomy in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) continues to be a clinical challenge. The purpose of this study is to identify preoperative predictors of outcome for splenectomy in children with ITP.


METHODS
The charts of 19 children who underwent splenectomy for ITP were retrospectively reviewed. Platelet responses to treatment are categorized as complete response (CR, > or =150,000/microL), partial response (PR, > or =50,000 but <150,000/microL), or nonresponse (NR, <50,000/microL).


RESULTS
After splenectomy, 13 patients (68%) had CR, 3 (16%) had PR, and 3 (16%) had NR. No correlation existed between CR to splenectomy and any of the following: age, platelet count at diagnosis, last platelet count before splenectomy, platelet count on postoperative day 1, or responses to preoperative intravenous immunoglobulin, WinRho, or Rituximab. However, all 7 patients who had NR to a full course of steroids subsequently had CR to splenectomy. Nonresponse to steroid therapy was directly correlated with CR to splenectomy (P = .01, Fisher's Exact test). Furthermore, postsplenectomy platelet counts were inversely related to peak platelet response to steroids (correlation coefficient = -0.68, P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative responsiveness to steroid therapy, as measured by peak platelet count, predicts NR to splenectomy for ITP in children, whereas NR to steroid therapy is highly correlated with CR to splenectomy. These findings challenge the widely held notion that steroid responsiveness portends a favorable outcome after splenectomy.
Wood
James H
JH
Department of Surgery, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Partrick
David A
DA
Hays
Taru
T
Ziegler
Moritz M
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D010976:Platelet Count; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069283:Rituximab; D013156:Splenectomy; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin; D013256:Steroids; D000069283:Rituximab