Better outcome of splenectomy in younger patients suffering from chronic immune thrombocytopenia

Abstract Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) may need splenectomy after failure of medical treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the outcome of splenectomy in chronic ITP and to point out factors which can predict better response to splenectomy. This retrospective chart review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised adult patients who underwent splenectomy for ITP from October 2005 to December 2015. Of the 51 patients, 37(72.5%) were females and 14(27.5%) were males. The overall median age was 32 years (interquartile range: 18-65 years). Complete response was seen in 43(84.3%) patients, 2(4%) had response and 6(11.7%) had no response. Relapse rate of ITP at 1 year was 4(8.8%). Multivariate analysis showed that failure rate of splenectomy in the 41(80.4%) patients aged \u3c50 years was 3(7%) as opposed to 3(30%) in the 10(19.6%) patients aged \u3e50 years (p=0.04). Splenectomy was found to be a safe and effective option for treatment of ITP. Young age at the time of surgery was associated with good response to surgery