Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Thrombocytopenia surgery
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Splenectomy can be used as surgical treatment for immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP). Bone marrow transplant can be done for congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT).
Surgery
Surgery
Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)
Splenectomy is used as second-line treatment for ITP. The goal of splenectomy is to eliminate macrophage-induced phagocytosis of platelets in the spleen.[1] The spleen is normally responsible for removing damaged platelets. Adverse effects include infection with encapsulated organisms (such as Neisseria, Haemophilus, and Streptococcus), inherent surgical risk, and high risk for thrombosis. Vaccinations must be completed 2 weeks prior to splenectomy to reduce the risk of post-splenectomy sepsis.
Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT)
Bone Marrow/Stem Cell transplant is the only measure that ultimately cures this genetic disease. Frequent platelet transfusions are required to keep the patient from bleeding to death until transplant is done.
References
References
- ↑ Bussel JB, Lee CS, Seery C, Imahiyerobo AA, Thompson MV, Catellier D; et al. (2014). “Rituximab and three dexamethasone cycles provide responses similar to splenectomy in women and those with immune thrombocytopenia of less than two years duration”. Haematologica. 99 (7): 1264–71. doi:10.3324/haematol.2013.103291. PMC 4077090. PMID 24747949.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2]