MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA WITH SPLENECTOMY

Abstract

Background. Treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) with plasma exchange (PE) has reduced mortality rates from 90% in untreated patients to less than 20%. Despite primary effective PE, relapses occur in up to 40% of patients. Beside PE, second line treatment options are corticosteroids, vincristine, defibrotide, prostacycline. We describe two patients with relapsing TTP treated successfully with splenectomy. Patients and methods. Case 1. A 20–year female was diagnosed in October 2000 with idiopathic chronic relapsing TTP. First episode of PE plus methylprednisolone treatment led to complet remission. Subsequent relapses occured 3, 6 and 8 months after first TTP episode. Every relaps was effectivelly treated with PE and methylprednisolone. Because of more and more frequent TTP relapses laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. Currently, 7 months after splenectomy she is in complet TTP remission. Case 2. A 18–year female, was diagnosed in January 1997 with idiopathic TTP. After PE and methylprednisolone complete remission was established. Relaps occured after nearly three years. Later on, TTP got chronic course with neurological clinical symptoms and plateled drops as soon as PE treatment was withdrawn. Besides PE and methylprednisolone she received also defibrotide. Because of chronic, PE dependant TTP, laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. Today, 15 months after splenectomy she is in complete TTP remission. Conclusions. In idiopathic relapsing and chronic TTP, PE treatment only is usually not sufficient for durable remission. Second line TTP treatment drugs have limited efficacy. Based on our experience in patients with relapsing and/or chronic TTP, laparoscopic splenectomy should be considered as a first treatment option, especialy in junger patients.