Splenectomy in the treatment of idiopathic thrombopenic purpura in adults. Apropos of 43 cases

: Case reports of 43 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) operated upon from 1975 up to the present were analyzed. After revision of therapeutic indications the predictive prognostic factors for splenectomy, essentially the initial response to corticotherapy, were studied. Findings indicated that splenectomy is effective treatment for ITP since permanent total remissions were obtained in 76% with a morbidity of 16% and a mortality of 2%. Emphasis is placed on the need for minute pre-, intra- and post-operative precautions.