Recurrence of thrombocytopenia in patients splenectomized for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

The effects of splenectomy in the treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were analysed in 177 subjects (118 adults and 59 children) operated upon between two and 25 years earlier. In 145 patients, thrombocytopenia regressed immediately or within 2 months after the operation. Regression of thrombocytopenia later during follow up was observed in a further 14 cases. Recurrence of thrombocytopenia after good immediate result of splenectomy developed in 32 patients. In 13 cases the recurrence was transient but in the remaining 19 patients it was long-lasting. In these cases presence of accessory spleens was suggested by the absence of Howell-Jolly bodies in the peripheral blood smear and demonstrated by splenic scan in 16 cases, and confirmed in 13 out of 15 splenectomized patients. Resplenectomy caused in 12 patients permanent disappearance of thrombocytopenia.