Safety of laparoscopic splenectomy in elderly patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is very successful. However, the safety of LS in older patients who have less cardiac and pulmonary reserve has not been studied. Our objective was to co mpare results of LS in elderly and younger patients with ITP. LS performed for ITP between 1992 and 1999 were studied. Perioperative data were collect ed concurrently. Follow-up was obtained by chart review and phone interview . Groups were arbitrarily divided: Group A, age greater than or equal to 70 ; group B, age <70. Main outcome measures were platelet response, duration of operation, hospitalization, blood loss, and complications were compared using t test and Chi-square analyses. Group A had more comorbid conditions (80% vs 28%, P = 0.04). Operative time (80 vs 119 minutes, P = 0.23), estim ated blood loss (156 vs 189 cm(3), P = 0.62), and hospitalization (3.6 vs 2 .8 days, P = 0.23) were similar for both groups. Although group B had signi ficantly more patients with an early platelet response (70% vs 97%, P = 0.0 2), there was no difference in platelet response at long-term follow-up (70 % vs 84%, P = 0.22). Long-term follow-up was completed on 87 per cent of pa tients at an average of 43 months postoperatively. We conclude that LS is s afe and effective in elderly patients with ITP.