GENERAL SURGERY

 

Initial experience with laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura

 

 

L Ferndale^I ; M Naidoo^I; S H Bhaila^II; S R Thomson^III; F Bassa^IV

^IFCS (SA). Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
^IIMB ChB, FRCS (Glasg). Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
^IIIChM, FRCS (Eng & Edin). Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
^IVFC Path (SA) (Haem), MMed. Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy has become the preferred method of splenectomy for refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). We present our experience with the introduction of laparoscopic splenectomy for ITP.
METHODS: Over a 2-year period, retrospective and prospective data were collected on all patients undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy for ITP at our institution. We analysed demographic data, peri-operative courses, platelet count responses and complications.
RESULTS: Twenty laparoscopic splenectomies were performed. There were 2 conversions to an open procedure. The average operating time was 100 minutes (range 30 - 170 minutes), and mean blood loss was 106 ml (range 50 - 200 ml). There were no deaths or major complications. The mean follow-up period was 7 months. Ninety-five per cent of patients had a complete or partial response to splenectomy.
CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic splenectomy can be introduced safely with an acceptable conversion rate, and is an effective treatment for ITP on short-term follow-up.

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Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an immune-mediated disease characterised by thrombocytopenia, the degree of which determines the increased risk of bleeding.^[1] It can be primary (idiopathic) or secondary. Secondary ITP can occur with systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, lymphoma, HIV infection and a variety of other disorders. Initial treatment is usually with corticosteroids, splenectomy being reserved for treatment failures.^[2]

Laparoscopic splenectomy was first performed in 1991 and has since become the preferred method of splenectomy for refractory ITP.^[3] Laparoscopic splenectomy compares favourably with open splenectomy with regard to postoperative pain, length of hospital stay and return to normal daily activity.^[4-6]

We present our experience with the introduction of laparoscopic splenectomy at a referral institution to determine its safety and outcomes in ITP.

 

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively from February 2007 to June 2008 and prospectively from June 2008 to January 2009. All patients were referred for splenectomy by our haematology department following suboptimal response to steroids. Patients were given pneumococcal vaccine 2 weeks before surgery. Information collected included demographic data, pre-operative and postoperative platelet counts, preparation prior to surgery, intra-operative and postoperative course, and complications. Based- on the consensus reached by the International Working Group on ITP in Vicenza, Italy, in October 2007,^[1] we defined a platelet count that failed to double and remained under 100x10⁹/l as failure to respond, doubling of the platelet count, which nevertheless remained under 100x10⁹/l, as partial response, and a platelet count over 100x10⁹/l, resolution of clinical symptoms and no further need for steroid therapy as complete response.

The surgery was performed at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, by two surgeons with extensive experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the use of energy devices for dissection and vessel sealing. Patients were positioned either supine with a slight right lateral tilt or in the right lateral position. Initial entry was achieved under direct vision using the open Hasson technique or an optical port. We used 4 ports, positioned as shown in Fig. 1. Upon entering the abdomen, any adhesions in the left upper quadrant were taken down. The short gastric vessels were divided using either an ultrasonic dissector or a vessel-sealing device. The splenic artery was identified and divided either between clips or using the vessel-sealing device. The spleen was mobilised fully, after which the hilum was divided using the vessel-sealing device. The spleen was inserted into an Endobag, broken up using swab-holding forceps, and removed from the abdomen through the supra-umbilical incision. The sheath and the skin were closed using absorbable sutures. Postoperatively, patients were allowed to eat a normal meal once fully awake and discharged the next day if they were well. Platelet- counts were checked at each follow-up visit. The postoperative platelet counts recorded were from the last follow-up visit, a mean of 7 months after the surgery.

 

 

Results

The data on 20 patients were collected retrospectively for 12 patients and prospectively for 8, and are summarised in Table 1. The majority were females in their late twenties. Two patients required conversion to an open procedure because of hilar bleeding that was difficult to control laparoscopically. This occurred early in the series. Blood loss was negligible and the mean splenic weight was 20 g above the upper limit of normal.

 

 

The mean pre-operative and postoperative platelet counts were 34x10⁹/l and 287x10⁹/l, respectively. Their distribution is shown in Fig. 2. Eighteen patients had a complete response, 1 did not respond, and 1 had a partial response. Mean hospital stay was 4- days (range 3 - 7 days) and mean follow-up was 7 months (range 1 - 19 months). There were no deaths and no major complications. One patient complained of left-sided chest pain; a chest radiograph and electrocardiogram were normal, and the pain resolved spontaneously after 1 week.

 

 

Discussion

The decision to treat ITP is based on the platelet count and the degree of bleeding. Generally treatment is commenced when the platelet count falls below 30x10⁹/l. Corticosteroids are the backbone of initial treatment and are initially effective in 50 - 80% of cases. However, when the dose of steroids is reduced or when treatment is stopped, remission is sustained in only 10 - 30% of cases. Splenectomy is the traditional second-line treatment for patients who do not respond to steroids or relapse after their withdrawal. Complete or partial remission occurs in more than two-thirds of patients who undergo splenectomy, but the relapse rate is 15 - 25%.^[2]

This study shows that laparoscopic splenectomy can be performed safely and effectively in appropriately selected patients with ITP.

The two surgeons performing the laparoscopic splenectomies had considerable experience with routine laparoscopic operations and open splenectomy prior to embarking on the introduction of the procedure. That their skill set was adequate to develop the performance of laparoscopic splenectomy safely is attested to by their low conversion rate (10%), which is lower than the 33% reported for the first 15 patients in one the earliest studies implementing the technique. These authors went on to show a 9% conversion rate in their subsequent 35 patients.^[7] Other studies addressing the learning curve for laparoscopic splenectomy found that 15 - 25 cases^[8-11] are required to become proficient. Compared with both laparoscopic and open splenectomy series, blood loss in our hands was minimal.^[5,7]

Table 2 lists the cohort series reporting on laparoscopic splenectomy for ITP. A marked heterogeneity is evident. Eight of the studies report on less than 50 cases, and only 1 reports on more than 100. Six of the studies had no conversions, while 2 were at the other extreme with 20% requiring open surgery. It appears that once the learning curve has been overcome, a rate of less than 5% should be the norm. There is marked variability in operating time, with the largest series of over 200 patients having an average time of over 2 hours. Only 4 studies had an operating time of less than our mean of 100 minutes. The follow-up period in our study was short, and the higher recurrence rates generally occurring in- series with longer follow-up are a better reflection of the duration of the operation's efficacy. The morbidity data are generally poorly defined, but as in our series laparoscopic splenectomy is generally free from major complications.

In summary, we believe this study has shown that laparoscopic splenectomy can be introduced safely and effectively by surgeons who have had good exposure to routine laparoscopic operations. It should be considered the preferred option for splenectomy for ITP.

 

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Corresponding author:
L Ferndale
(lucienferndale@gmail.com)