Splenectomy for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

A retrospective review of 69 consecutive patients who had splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura between 1967 and 1980 is presented. Complete response occurred in 85.5% of the patients, partial response in 8.7%, and no response in 5.8%. The complication rate was 20%, and there were no surgical mortalities. Serious infections developed in 7% of the patients postoperatively. Initial platelet count, onset of disease, timing of splenectomy, and relapse rate were studied and found not to correlate.