Platelet count on preoperative day 1 predicts the long-term responses to laparoscopic splenectomy for Chinese patients with medically refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is regarded as a second-line treatment for medically refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), but the predictive factors for the long-term postoperative responses to ITP are still a matter of debate. We aimed to investigate the factors that can predict the long-term response after LS for Chinese patients with medically refractory ITP.

METHODS: From January 2011 to September 2016, 78 Chinese patients with ITP who underwent LS were retrospectively analyzed. Twelve parameters were analyzed by univariate and multivariate methods.

RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that platelet count on preoperative day (PRD) 1 (P < 0.001) and operative time (P = 0.011) were significantly associated with long-term response of ITP after LS. Multivariate analysis revealed that platelet count on PRD 1 was a predictive factor of long-term response (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a long-term, stable response of platelet count on PRD 1 of > 30.0 × 109 /L was easier to achieve than a platelet count on PRD 1 ≤ 30.0 × 109 /L after LS for ITP.

CONCLUSIONS: LS is a valuable and effective option in the treatment of medically refractory ITP. Platelet count on PRD 1 is an independent predicting factor for long-term response after LS for Chinese patients with ITP.