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Splenectomy in children with chronic ITP: long-term efficacy and relation between its outcome and responses to previous treatments.

This retrospective study was conducted to determine whether the response to splenectomy is related to the response to previous treatments. We examined the records of 90 children splenectomized for chronic ITP. Platelet counts were constantly>50x10(9)/L in 68 patients (75%). An improvement in the quality of life was observed in 79 (85%). The success of splenectomy was strongly correlated with a good response to previous treatment. A negative response to any of the prior treatments had no predictive value. This finding is relevant when elective splenectomy is considered as a treatment option.

Adolescent↗

Critical issues concerning splenectomy for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood.

Guidelines for management of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in childhood are still based on expert opinions and therefore remain controversial. Splenectomy is an established option for chronic ITP in adults, but splenectomy in childhood is complex, due to higher probability for spontaneous recovery of ITP as compared to adults, psychological barrier of parents to accept a permanent organ loss, lack of reliable preoperative response prediction, and risk for overwhelming sepsis in young children. Parents are confronted with fear of intracranial bleeding, burden of responsibility in daily life, frequent visits to doctors, and need for restrictions of physical activities. Decision is further complicated by emerging conservative options offering durable remissions. This article reviews existing recommendations for splenectomy in pediatric chronic ITP and delineates critical and unsolved issues.

Child↗

Splenic "regeneration" after partial splenectomy for Gaucher disease: histological features.

Partial splenectomy for Gaucher disease is often followed by reenlargement of the splenic remnant. It remains unclear if this process is due to tissue regeneration or to continued deposition of glucocerebroside in the reticuloendothelial system or both. We compared the splenic architecture before and after reenlargement in three cases of failed repeated partial splenectomy after two, six and five years. Using the number of lymphoid follicles per hundred low power fields (LF/LPF) as an arbitrary index, we found that prior to the first operation 18, 20 and 27 lymphoid follicles were present per one hundred low power fields, while at the second operation, the corresponding rates were 11, 15 and 17; in control spleens, an average of 712.5 lymphoid follicles were present in one hundred low power fields. The difference in the LF/LPF ratio before and after reenlargement, led us to speculate that splenic re-enlargement in Gaucher disease is mainly the result of the continued deposition of the glucocerebroside in the reticuloendothelial system of the splenic remnant, though some degree of true regeneration as well cannot be completely ruled out. These findings are compared with animal studies and results for partial splenectomy on humans, performed for trauma. Further studies in patients with Gaucher disease are warranted to better define the underlying mechanism of splenic reenlargement.

Adolescent↗

Pediatric laparoscopic splenectomy using the lateral approach.

Laparoscopic splenectomy in children has been shown to be safe, to reduce postoperative pain and hospital stay, and to accelerate return to full activities. We describe our experience with a four-port "lateral" approach in 18 patients. Patients were placed in the lateral decubitus position and the table was flexed to separate the left subcostal margin and iliac crest. The camera port was inserted at the umbilicus and additional ports were placed in the epigastrium and left lower quadrant. After mobilization of the splenic flexure a port was inserted in the left flank below the 12th rib for elevation of the spleen. A 30 degrees laparoscope was used and the splenic vessels were controlled with an endo-GIA and/or clips. The spleens were placed in a bag, morcellated, and extracted through a port site. Eight females and 10 males with a median age of 12.5 years (5-17 years) and weight of 55.5 kg (17-124 kg) underwent splenectomy of idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpora (10), spherocytosis (6), elliptocytosis (1), and Hodgkin's disease (1). The median operating time was 160 min (90-300 min) and median blood loss was 105 ml (5-350 ml). Accessory spleens were removed in four cases. Three patients required extensions of a port site to remove large spleens which could not be placed in a bag. The sole complication was a transient pancreatitis with associated pleural effusion. The median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (1-11 days) and time to full activities was 8 days (3-25 days). The lateral approach affords excellent visualization of the splenic vessels, pancreas, and accessory spleens. This approach is safe and reliable and is our preferred approach for laparoscopic splenectomy in children.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic splenectomy.

We describe the clinical course of 23 patients considered for laparoscopic splenectomy. One patient was excluded on the basis of preoperative angiography findings, and two (9%) were converted to open surgery. In the remaining 20 patients who successfully underwent laparoscopic splenectomy, no mortality was reported; four postoperative complications (20% morbidity) occurred. Mean operating time was 3 h 35 min (135-300 min). After a mean postoperative stay of 3.9 days (2-9 days), all patients except two were back to normal activities within 2 weeks of hospital discharge. Preoperative splenic artery embolization, begun with the third patient, helped to reduce operative blood loss and made the procedure easier to perform. Laparoscopic splenectomy has become our procedure of choice for elective removal of normal-sized (< 11 cm long) or moderately enlarged (11-20 cm long) spleens.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic splenectomy. The "hanged spleen" technique.

We have now used a new patient position for laparoscopic splenectomy: The patient is placed in right lateral supine position on a "bean bag" positioning apparatus and the left arm is elevated. The operator is located on the right of the patient; the first assistant is on the same side and the second is on the left. We have a very good view of the spleen which is hung on the diaphragm by the peritoneal attachments, and we can sever successively inferior polar splenic vessels, short gastric vessels, and hilus splenic vessels. With this patient position, it is our opinion that laparoscopic splenectomy is feasible and safe if the spleen volume is not too large. To date, we have performed thirteen splenectomies with this procedure. We have had twelve good results and one conversion to laparotomy.

Humans↗

Myocardial infarction in young patients with Hodgkin's disease--potential pathogenic role of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and splenectomy.

Among a total of 2147 patients admitted to our hospital for acute myocardial infarction between 1978 and 1987, three young patients aged 24, 29, and 39 years had previously been treated for Hodgkin's disease. Staging laparotomy, including splenectomy, had been performed in all three patients. Two patients had both mediastinal irradiation (21 and 27 months before infarction) and chemotherapy. In the first patient, postmortem histologic examination of the coronary arteries revealed fibrotic changes, which were probably induced by radiotherapy. In our second patient, myocardial infarction developed 5 days after vinblastine treatment; early angiography showed thrombotic occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery, which was recanalized using the diagnostic Sones catheter. Subsequent angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. This is, to our knowledge, the first case of documented coronary artery thrombosis after treatment with vinca-alkaloids. In our third patient, neither mediastinal irradiation nor chemotherapy had been performed prior to myocardial infarction. However, a marked increase in platelet counts following splenectomy was observed in this patient. The role of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and splenectomy with consecutive thrombocytosis as a third possible pathogenic factor for subsequent development of myocardial infarction is discussed.

Adult↗

Splenectomy in myasthenia gravis: a therapeutic concept?

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 auto-antibody 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.

Adult↗

Effect of splenectomy on destructive bone changes in children with chronic (Type I) Gaucher disease.

The incidence and severity of osteolytic bone changes in patients with chronic (Type I) Gaucher disease splenectomized in the first decade of life were compared to those in patients of the same age group and similar degree of severity of the disease in whom the spleen remained intact at least until the second half of the second decade. The size of the spleen, measured by palpation, was used as an index of severity. In the splenectomized group osteolytic changes appeared within a few months following splenectomy in six out of eight cases. The changes were severe in five cases and moderate in one. In contrast, in the non-splenectomized group, evidence of bone destruction was found in two out of eight patients and classified as mild in both cases. Furthermore, in three patients in this group, who remained free of bone destruction until splenectomy in the second half of the second decade, osteolytic lesions appeared soon after the operation. Children with chronic Gaucher disease can be spared a great deal of suffering caused by bone disease, if splenectomy is avoided or postponed as far as possible.

Bone Resorption↗

Effect of splenectomy on B- and T-lymphocytes and a benzpyrene-induced murine sarcoma.

UNLABELLED: The investigation of 400 adult mice had the objective to find out 1. The influence of splenectomy on genesis and growth of a benzpyrene-induced sarcoma and 2. The behavior of B- and T-lymphocytes under the influence of splenectomy. RESULTS: 1. A significantly lower number of tumors developed in splenectomized animals (28.5%) as compared to controls (49.5%). 2. A significant decrease of B-lymphocytes and an increase in T cells after splenectomy were found in the peripheral blood. 3. The examination of the tumor marginal zone showed a decreased number of B-lymphocytes and an increase of T-lymphocytes, while the total count of round cells remained unchanged. These results are discussed and compared with results of other authors.

Animals↗

[Complications following splenectomy].

In a retrospective (n = 570) and prospective study (n = 86) early complications following splenectomy were registered in 127/570 (22.3%) resp. 33/86 (38.4%). The mortality rate was 6.6% resp. 6.9%. Recurrent hemorrhage was the most dangerous, infections (pleuropulmonary, wound healing, subphrenic abscess) were the most frequent complications. Their rate is related only to the underlying disease or operative indication (elective splenectomy with hematological diseases; ruptured spleen; incidental splenectomy).

Hemorrhage↗

Development of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia after posttraumatic splenectomy.

In the course of a post-splenectomy follow-up study, 2 out of 102 patients who had been splenectomized after an abdominal trauma were found to have developed chronic lymphocytic leukaemia 5 and 31 years after splenectomy, respectively. The possible association between splenectomy and secondary leukaemia is discussed.

Adult↗

Effect of splenectomy and immunotherapy on advanced gastric cancer associated with total gastrectomy.

Immunotherapy with levamisole (LMS) and combined splenectomy were performed in the cases of stages III and IV gastric cancer of the upper and middle stomach and associated with total gastrectomy. The cell-mediated immunity and the survival rates for both groups were compared with controls. Combined splenectomy was not effective for cases of stage III gastric cancer, but was effective for those in stage IV. Comparing the cumulative survival rates of the immunotherapy group with the controls, cases of stages III and IV gastric cancer without splenectomy, the survival rate of those with immunotherapy was higher than that of the control group in the cases of the stage III, but the result was reverse in cases of stage IV gastric cancer. Changes in the cell-mediated immunity correlated with the survival rates.

Gastrectomy↗

Management of patients undergoing splenectomy in an Irish teaching hospital: impact of guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) has a 50-70% mortality rate and carries a lifetime risk for the asplenic patient. Specific British guidelines have been developed to reduce its incidence. AIMS: To determine whether British guidelines were being followed in our own institution and what impact they had on overwhelming post-splenectomy infection. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 100 splenectomies performed by Department of Surgery, Beaumont Hospital from January 1990 to January 2000. RESULTS: Twenty per cent of patients were discharged without any recommended vaccinations. Prophylactic antibiotics were not prescribed in 53% of patients. Just 12% of charts document a verbal explanation of the complications and management of asplenia to the patient. Overall septic mortality was 12%, of whom 8% died in hospital and 4% after discharge. CONCLUSION: Management of the asplenic patient has improved but is far from complete. A central register of asplenic patients and national asplenic guidelines should be established in Ireland to ensure optimum patient care.

Adolescent↗

[Splenectomy for thrombocytopenic purpura. Retrospective analysis of the postoperative course].

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) comprises approximately 8% of all haemorrhagic diseases. Typical findings are a very low platelet count which manifests as petechial bleeding. Therapy consists of medication and removal of the spleen if conservative therapy fails. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 1999, 47 patients with ITP were splenectomized in our surgical department. We examine the postoperative development of platelet counts and long-term results in 33 of these patients. RESULTS: After splenectomy, more then 75% of our patients had normal platelet counts. In long-term examination, 58% remained in stable condition with normal platelet counts. Retrospectively we tried to identify preoperative clinical features that could predict the long-term outcome of splenectomy in ITP but were unable to find reliable factors. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura can be treated by surgical means but should be considered only when conservative treatment has failed. The long-term outcome of splenectomy is not predictable. Reliable predictive factors have to be identified through further research.

Adult↗

Simultaneous splenectomy increases risk for opportunistic pneumonia in patients after liver transplantation.

Life threatening pneumonias after liver transplantation are often caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila, Pneumocystis carinii, Aspergillus species and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Due to the high incidence of morbidity and mortality caused by these pneumonias we reviewed 700 liver transplants for risk factors for the development of opportunistic pneumonia. Immunosuppression was commenced as either cyclosporin A- or tacrolimus-based protocols. In a subgroup of patients, splenectomy was performed simultaneously with liver transplantation ( n=57). Overall 60 opportunistic pneumonias occurred in 700 liver transplants. Using a stepwise logistic regression analysis, we found that OKT3 treatment and simultaneous splenectomy revealed a significantly increased risk for opportunistic pneumonia. Our study identified splenectomy as a major risk factor for the development of opportunistic pneumonia after liver transplantation. In these patients prophylactic protocols and early diagnosis may improve the long-term outcome.

Adolescent↗

Therapeutic splenectomy in immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

The effects of splenectomy in 41 patients managed from 1982 to 1995 at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), India, were studied. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was the main indication for therapeutic splenectomy among all the hematologic disorders. The mean age was 30 years (range 7-64), and the male to female ratio was 1.05:1. The mean platelet count in the preoperative period was 31,751/mm(3) (range 4000-85,000). All patients presented with thrombocytopenia, i.e., platelet count of <100,000/mm(3). In addition, 5 patients presented with anemia, i.e., Hb <10 g%. Among the patients with thrombocytopenia, 30 patients presented with counts <50,000/mm(3) and 11 patients presented with counts between 50,000-100,000/mm(3). None of the patients presented with leukopenia. The morbidity observed was 15% and mortality was 2%. The response to splenectomy was complete for thrombocytopenia in 3 patients and partial in 5 patients; 4 patients failed to show any response. In anemic patients, 4 patients showed complete response and 1 patient showed no response. The prognosis was excellent in patients with platelet count >50,000/mm(3), age <50 years, no concomitant disease, and disease of shorter duration.

Adolescent↗

Subtotal splenectomy for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Although splenectomy is helpful in the management of selected patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), in most cases this procedure is accompanied by a greater morbidity and mortality, mainly due to sepsis. Thus, it may be proposed that a conservative procedure that reduces the spleen size may have an effect similar to that of total spleen ablation for the treatment of CLL. The present paper describes our experience with an 81-year-old patient submitted to subtotal splenectomy for treatment of CLL. Indications for surgery were uncontrolled leukemic activity and intense abdominal discomfort due to the huge spleen. The good results obtained with subtotal splenectomy in the present case indicate that this procedure may be a new alternative for the treatment of CLL when removal of the spleen is indicated.

Aged↗