Perioperative Predictive Factors Following Splenectomy for Complete Remission of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Introduction. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is one of the most commonly known and widely researched haematological diseases. ITP manifests as decrease in platelet count of various degrees, which can even cause fatal bleeding from 0.4 - 13% annually. Glucocorticoids (GC) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IgG) are used as the first line of treatment, 20-50% of drug therapy is ineffective and splenectomy is "the second stage" of treatment. Various sources of literature mention the range of ITP remission following splenectomy from 49 - 93%. Current studies are looking for prognostic factors, which would ensure complete ITP remission following splenectomy. Aim of the Study. To analyse possible perioperative prognostic factors in ITP patients for achieving remission following splenectomy. Materials and methods. The retrospective study included 13 patients diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), who underwent surgery in the period from 2002 to 2009 at the Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital "Linezers". From laboratory tests - full blood-count 1 - 2 days before the operation, on the 5th - 7th day following the operation, 1 month after the operation, one year after the operation and during the last follow-up found in the patient's out-patient file. The size of the spleen before the surgery was determined by ultrasonography. The access to the abdominal cavity and the spleen - conventional or laparoscopic surgery, the duration of the operation, perioperative blood loss, post-operative complications and the patient's day of discharge following the surgery was analysed. Results. In the period from January 2002 to January 2009 at RECUH clinic "Linezers" 13 ITP patients underwent surgery. As to the gender the average age for both genders was similar (men 39.0 ± 14.1 and women 39.0 ± 16.0). The mean value of the duration of the disease in women (8.0 ± 9.0 months) and men (68.1 ± 58.7 months) has a statistically significant difference, using the independent pair selection t-test (t = 2.38; p = 0.047). In one US case and in one CT case accessory spleens were detected. The pre-operative mean value of PLT count had increased in a statistically significant way in accordance with the independent pair selection t-test (t = 3.087; p = 0.009), and in accordance with Wilcoxon signed-rank test (z = 2,202; p = 0,028) compared to the mean value of PLT count, which was detected during the last follow-up visit on average 35.9 ± 35.9 months after the surgery. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that the average age of cured patients 34.6 ± 9.8 is statistically less significant than for those patients, who continue treatment and whose disease has transformed (F = 7.327; p = 0.011). Conclusions. The performed research allows concluding that the decisive factors in successful ITP outcome after the operation are the following: 1) in patients, who have undergone the operation in a relatively younger age (34.6 ± 9.8 years) the disease outcome is more successful during the follow - up period - 35.9 ± 35.9 months (F = 7.327; p = 0.011); 2) the visualisation and removal of the accessory spleen decreases the probability of relapse.