Seventy-two patients underwent splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytop
enic purpura between 1979 and 1990. Mean age at splenectomy was 36.4 y
ears (range 11-73). Indications for splenectomy were corticodependence
in 21 cases and resistance to steroids in 44 cases. Thirty-five patie
nts had platelet kinetic studies by Cr-51 alloplatelets; 22 of them ha
d splenic sequestration. Hematologic results were evaluated on dischar
ge, at 3 months and in the long term (median follow-up 5.4 years). We
had no mortality, morbidity was seen in 7% of the cases. None of the p
atients suffered from secondary infectious complications. 89% had good
results on discharge (> 120 x 10(9)/l), 72.6% at 3 months and 90% on
long-term follow-up. Factors associated with good response to splenect
omy included a high postoperative platelet count (more than 120 x 10(9
)/l on discharge), younger age at the time of surgery, preoperative co
rticodependence and predominantly splenic sequestration.