Splenectomy versus medical treatment for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

BACKGROUND: Treatment strategies for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are still uncertain and its management is primarily empirical. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of splenectomy in the therapy of ITP and to evaluate whether medical or surgical treatment is superior. METHODS: Ninety-two patients with ITP were included in the study. All of these patients had medical therapy and 38 of them underwent splenectomy subsequently. Follow-up was completed in 91 patients after a median of 64 months. RESULTS: Side effects of medical therapy were noticed in 32 patients (35%), whereas after surgery only 2 patients (5%) had minor complications. A complete or partial remission was achieved in 35 patients (92%) after splenectomy, whereas this was achieved in only 27 patients (30%) after medical therapy. On multivariate analysis splenectomy and age were the only significant independent factors for complete and partial remission. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy is highly effective and safe in the treatment of ITP and is superior over medical therapy. These results should stimulate the discussion about splenectomy for ITP, possibly establishing evidence-based guidelines for surgical treatment in hematology.     

腹腔镜在地中海贫血微创脾切除术中的应用

目的探讨腹腔镜在地中海贫血微创脾切除术中的应用。方法应用腹腔镜对中间型α地贫(HbH病)13例,重型β地贫3例,β地贫+异常HbEl例共17例进行微创脾切除术,占同期地贫脾切除术的28.33%。结果均取得较好的手术效果。结论与传统脾切除手术比较,腹腔镜微创脾切除术创口小,损伤轻,出血少,恢复快,住院时间短。     

Pediatric laparoscopic splenectomy

Background: Lateral laparoscopic splenectomy in adults, first reported in 1991, was begun with children in 1993. Methods: The authors reviewed records of 59 patients 2 to 17 years old who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy by the lateral approach between 1994 and 1998 at four medical centers. Patients received prophylactic penicillin or vaccinations preoperatively. Results: Of the 59 patients, 51 required splenectomy for one of the following conditions: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, hereditary spherocytosis, or sickle-cell disease. Splenomegaly was found in 86% of the patients, and ten accessory spleens were resected. No deaths or infection occurred, and only three patients had perioperative complications: acute chest crisis, small diaphragmatic injury, and intraoperative hemorrhage. One operation was converted to a minilaparatomy because of difficulty with specimen extraction. Conclusions: Pediatric laparoscopic splenectomy is safe and effective, resulting in little blood loss, rapid recovery, and a good cosmetic outcome. Received: 12 February 1999/Accepted: 24 September 1999/Online publication: 8 May 2000     

Impact of hematological diagnosis on early and late outcome after laparoscopic splenectomyrid=""

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is now regarded as the treatment of choice for autoimmune thrombopenia (ITP). However, there have been few reports describing the application of LS to other splenic diseases, such as malignant entities and conditions associated with splenomegaly. Hematological diseases have specific clinical features that can influence immediate outcome after LS. Although the long-term effects of LS are unknown, a risk of splenosis has been suggested. Therefore, we designed a study to analyze the impact of primary hematological disease on immediate and late outcome in a prospective series of LS patients. Methods: We performed a prospective analysis of 111 LS done between February 1993 and March 1999. The patients were classified by hematological indications into the following four groups: (a) group 1, low platelet count. This group was further subdivided into group 1A, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (n= 48) and group 1B, HIV-related ITP (n= 8); (b) group 2, anemia. This group was further subdivided into group 2A, autoimmune hemolytic anemia (n= 8), and group 2B, spherocytosis (n= 11); (c) group 3, malignancy (n= 28); and (d) group 4, others (n= 8). Immediate outcomes were recorded prospectively. Hematological status and late complications were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 24 ± 18 months. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of conversion, transfusion requirements, and morbidity, although transfusion and morbidity were slightly higher in group 3. However, hospital stay was significantly longer in groups 3 and 4 than in groups 1 and 2. Long-term follow-up showed satisfactory hematological results in ≥75% of patients (group 1A, 82%; group 1B, 88%; group 2A, 88%; group 2B, 100%; group 3, 75%; group 4, 88%). Overall, late morbidity was 8.3% and mortality was 6.2%, mainly due to deaths in group 4 (six of 22 patients). Conclusion: LS is a safe and reproducible procedure for most hematological indications, with a similar immediate outcome for benign diseases and a long-term hematological response comparable to the standard results that have been observed in open series. Received: 1 April 1999/Accepted: 22 November 1999/Online publication: 8 May 2000     

Effects of N-methylacetamide and splenectomy on RF murine myeloid leukemia.

The administration of N-methylacetamide to mice with myeloid leukemia results in significant prolongation of the survival. This therapeutic effect is independent of the presence of the spleen indicating that NMA affects leukemic cells proliferating in other organs. Additionally, splenectomy before or after passage of the leukemia did not alter the course of the disease.     

Splenectomy in myasthenia gravis: a therapeutic concept?

Summary The case histories are presented of five patients with long-diagnosed myasthenia gravis (up to 15 years) who underwent splenectomy. A precondition for the decision to operate was muscle weakness that could not be controlled with standard therapy (e.g. anticholinesterase drugs, immunosuppressive measures). After splenectomy, a considerable improvement took place in three cases; in one case there was moderate improvement, and in another, no improvement. The alleviation of myasthenia gravis may be attributable to the reduction of either the number of immunocompetent lymphocytes in an important storage organ or of the total bulk of the immune system in an immune disease with raised autoantibody production. The acetylcholine receptor antibody titre was not affected by the operation in a consistent way. After splenectomy, immunosuppressive medication was tolerated better with respect to its haematological side-effects.     

Association of Splenectomy With Postoperative Complications in Patients With Proximal Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

Background: Splenectomy has been associated with increased morbidity after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Resection of proximal versus distal tumors is associated with a higher morbidity. Because splenectomy is more commonly performed in resection of proximal tumors, these analyses may be biased. The aim of this study was to describe the association of splenectomy with complications in patients undergoing resection of proximal gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers.Methods: From July 1985 to August 2001, 335 patients underwent resection of proximal gastric or GEJ (type II and III) cancers. Clinical and pathologic factors were retrieved from a prospective database.Results: Overall morbidity was 59% (infectious complications, 41%; noninfectious complications, 36%), and mortality was 4.5%. Splenectomy was associated with a higher rate of infectious complications (57% vs. 33%; P < .01) but not of noninfectious complications (39% vs. 34%; not significant) or mortality (4% vs. 5%; not significant). Splenectomy was also associated with a higher rate of infectious complications on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 2.4; P < .01).Conclusions: Morbidity after resection of proximal gastric and GEJ cancer is significant; splenectomy is associated with increased morbidity, but not mortality, in these patients. Because these complications can be managed without an increase in mortality, splenectomy should be performed when indicated by the extent of the tumor.     

Functions of the splenic remnant after subtotal splenectomy for treatment of severe splenic injuries

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients submitted to subtotal splenectomy during the immediate and late postoperative period. METHODS: The study was conducted on 34 patients, 25 of whom were submitted to subtotal splenectomy (group I), and 9 to total splenectomy without preservation of splenic tissue (group II), and on 22 patients with intact spleens (group III, control). The immediate and late postoperative complications were investigated. Hematological examinations were performed during the late postoperative period (red cell count, hemoglobin, platelets, total and segmented leukocytes, lymphocytes, and Howell-Jolly bodies). Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG) and total T lymphocytes (TTL), active T lymphocytes (ATL), and B lymphocytes were also determined. Splenic scintigraphy with (99m)Tc colloidal sulfur was performed. RESULTS: Groups I and III did not presented abnormal blood bodies and their hematological and immunological pattern were normal. None of the groups showed leukocytosis or thrombocytosis. Howell-Jolly bodies were observed only in group II, which also showed reduced IgM levels. Scintigraphy showed filtering splenic tissue in group I. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that subtotal splenectomy is a good surgical alternative for serious distal spleen lesion or when the main splenic pedicle is injured.     

Splenic Abscess and Infarction – Rare Events for Which Surgery Is Mandatory

Summary BACKGROUND: The modern treatment strategy favouring conservative and minimally invasive approaches in spleen surgery is sometimes applied to splenic infarction and abscess. METHODS: One case each of splenic abscess and splenic infarction was diagnosed and treated within a short period. Both patients underwent splenectomy after conservative therapy had failed. RESULTS: The first patient recovered completely following early complications; the other patient died of concomitant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Although less invasive procedures are often successful, in some cases there is no alternative to splenectomy.     

超声多普勒血管显像在内结扎法腹腔镜脾切除术中的应用

目的探讨超声多普勒血管显像在内结扎法腹腔镜脾切除术中的应用价值。方法2006年1月至2008年1月收治脾相关血液病患儿28例，均行内结扎法腹腔镜脾切除术。术前应用超声多普勒血管显像探测脾蒂血管解剖类型、走行及与胰腺的关系，并将其与术中所见进行对比分析。结果超声多普勒血管显像与术中记录脾血管分支类型（X^2=1，P〉0．05）及与胰腺的关系（X^2=2，P〉0．05）基本符合。28例腹腔镜脾切除术均获成功，无一例中转开腹。结论超声多普勒血管显像可明确脾蒂血管解剖分支类型、走行及其与胰腺的毗邻关系，有助于弥补腹腔镜缺乏手部触觉功能和三维视觉效果的局限，指导实施腹腔镜脾切除术。