Total abdominal hysterectomy in a patient with immune thrombocytopenic Purpura: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura poses unique challenges in surgical settings due to an increased risk of bleeding. This report details the perioperative management of a patient with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura undergoing Total Abdominal Hysterectomy, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches for such cases.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 41-year-old female with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and symptomatic uterine fibroids, despite medical management, opted for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. Prednisolone therapy and platelet transfusion were used preoperatively to optimize platelet counts.

DISCUSSION

Effective management was achieved through meticulous surgery, continued prednisolone therapy, and vigilant postoperative monitoring. This case highlights the value of a multidisciplinary approach in ensuring positive surgical outcomes for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura patients.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This case underscores the significance of individualized perioperative care for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura patients undergoing major surgery. By optimizing medical therapy and maintaining close monitoring, favorable results can be achieved, enhancing the quality of life for such patients. It is recommended that such comprehensive approaches are considered in similar cases.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after prophylactic cefuroxime axetil administered in relation to a liposuction procedure

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or Moschcowitz's syndrome is characterized by platelet and von Willebrand factor (vWF) deposition in arterioles and capillaries throughout the body, which results in organ ischemia. The diagnostic pentad characterizing TTP consists of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), fever, neurologic manifestations, and renal insufficiency. In terms of type, TTP can be either idiopathic or secondary. The causes of secondary TTP include pregnancy, infections, pancreatitis, collagen vascular disease, cancer, bone marrow transplantation, and drugs (including cephalosporins). Postoperative TTP has been reported after vascular surgery, renal and liver transplantations, and orthopedic, urologic, and abdominal surgical procedures. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) therapy has reduced the mortality rates, but sometimes patients may have to receive immunosuppressive drugs including vincristine (VCR). This report describes a 42-year-old woman with TTP after prophylactic usage of cefuroxime axetil in relation to a liposuction procedure who was treated successfully with plasma exchange and VCR. The patient fully recovered after 17 TPEs and three doses of VCR. At this writing, her TTP still is in remission after 6 months of follow-up evaluation. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in the literature describing a patient with TTP after cefuroxime axetil administered in relation to a surgical procedure who was treated successfully with TPE and VCR.

Acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following orthopedic surgery: a case report

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or Moschowitz's syndrome is characterized by release of unusually large von Willebrand factor (ULvWF) multimers and a deficiency of vWF metalloprotease. It is a very rare condition, but it causes serious problems. The etiology is still unknown, although surgical stress has been associated with TTP, probably by releasing massive amounts of ULvWF. TTP is an acute, recurrent disease of the circulatory system, consisting of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, fever, neurological signs, and renal dysfunction. It has the strong possibility of being fatal and thus should be treated immediately, mostly by plasmapheresis. We report a case of TTP following a high tibial valgus osteotomy. An association between TTP and orthopedic surgery--as far as we know--has only once been reported in the literature. We suggest that orthopedic surgeons should be aware of this because, although very rare, postsurgical TTP could be a life-threatening postoperative complication, which needs prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with bone marrow metastasis and secondary myelofibrosis in cancer

To examine the relationship between cancer and development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TM), the medical records of patients with known TM were examined in one institution from January 1981 to December 2002. Nine out of 93 patients with the established diagnosis of TM had active cancer. All nine of those patients had thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Among those patients, two patients received chemotherapy prior to the development of TTP. Six of the seven patients who received no chemotherapy had extensive bone marrow metastasis and secondary myelofibrosis. There were two patients each with breast cancer, lung cancer, and stomach cancer. Severe anemia and thrombocytopenia with leukoerythroblastosis were prominent clinical features in all six patients. Four patients had neurological (mental) changes and three developed fever, but none had significant renal dysfunction. Upon establishing the diagnosis of TTP, four patients were treated with exchange plasmapheresis (EP) and two patients were treated with chemotherapy because there were no neurological changes. Three patients achieved complete remission of TTP, one with EP alone and two with chemotherapy. The one patient who achieved remission with EP alone was later treated with chemotherapy and survived for 2 1/2 years. The other three patients treated with EP alone died within 2 months after the diagnosis of TTP. Since TTP occurred in association with bone marrow metastasis and myelofibrosis in six patients among seven chemotherapy-untreated cancer patients, this marrow change was considered to be the possible cause of the development of TTP. It is recommended that all cancer patients with unexplained anemia and thrombocytopenia be evaluated for the coexistence of bone marrow metastasis and TTP.

A case report of total abdominal hysterectomy resulting in acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with pancreatitis and hepatitis: complete resolution with plasma exchange therapy

Acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening disorder that has previously been described associated with various types of surgery. An association between total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and TTP has never been reported. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is classically characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, fever, azotemia and neurological manifestations. Atypical manifestations of TTP include hepatitis, pancreatitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia and peripheral digital ischemia. This case report describes the occurrence of acute TTP following TAH and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, which manifested with typical and atypical features (i.e. hepatitis, pancreatitis). Plasma exchange therapy resulted in the complete resolution of the process.

Acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following orthopedic surgery

Release of unusually large von Willibrand factor (UL vWF) multimers and a deficiency of vWF metalloprotease may result in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a life threatening disease. Surgery has been associated with TTP, probably by releasing massive amounts of UL vWF. An association between TTP and orthopedic surgery has never been reported in the literature. We report a case of TTP following a total knee replacement surgery in which prior use of ticlopidine might have played a role.

Acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following abdominal surgeries: a report of three cases

Acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) occurred in three patients following abdominal surgeries. One patient underwent extensive lysis for intestinal adhesions with bowel resection, another cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, and the third right colectomy and partial intestinal resection for colon cancer. The diagnosis of acute TTP was established on the basis of absent hematologic features of TTP prior to surgery and development of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia, and unexplained mental changes after surgery. Hematologic evidence of TTP developed 3 to 9 days after surgery. Other clinical features were acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in two patients and peripheral digit ischemic syndrome (PDIS) also in two patients. In all three patients, establishing the diagnosis of TTP was delayed. Exchange plasmapheresis in one patient was ineffective due to associated ARDS and two others died soon after the diagnosis was established. In view of our experience, postoperative TTP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the patient who develops unexplained anemia and thrombocytopenia following an abdominal surgery. Presence of hemolytic anemia, schistocytosis, and unexplained thrombocytopenia should alert the possibility of TTP.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: prospective observations of an emerging syndrome

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rapidly progressive syndrome of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolysis, and organ dysfunction. While most TTP is idiopathic, we have observed four cases following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in a 2-year period. We have studied these cases prospectively to define the natural history, and potentially unique characteristics, of a post-CABG TTP syndrome. On average, the onset occurred 4.75 days postoperatively (post-op), but the diagnosis was made 8.5 days post-op. All four patients exhibited microangiopathic hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, mental status changes, and severe renal failure. Three also had unexplained fever. All patients received therapeutic plasma exchange for 5, 6, 8, and 11 days, respectively, and all achieved complete hematological remission. Three patients required dialysis for 7, 15, and 16 days, respectively, but were restored to baseline renal function if they survived. One patient with severe pre-existing peripheral vascular disease died of Candida sepsis. None of the surviving patients have relapsed at a median follow-up of 19 months. These cases appear distinguished by a delay in diagnosis despite intensive medical supervision, a florid presentation with most, or all, of the components of the classic TTP pentad, an excellent and rapid response to plasma exchange, and a tendency not to relapse. As such, they may represent a subgroup characterized by a more rapid and severe onset, but also a rapid response to therapy and earlier recovery than the typical idiopathic form of TTP. An aggressive approach to management is warranted.

Cascade filtration for TTP: an effective alternative to plasma exchange with cryodepleted plasma

TTP remains enigmatic both in terms of etiology and management. The most recent approach is aggressive plasma exchange (PE) employing cryopoor plasma for replacement, based on the pathogenetic relevance given to exceedingly large Von Willebrand (VWF) multimers in the determination of the syndrome with normalization during remission. PE with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is better than FFP infusion as shown by a recent Canadian study, supporting the theory that to treat TTP an offending circulating agent needs to be removed from the patient's plasma in contrast to the hypothesis that a missing factor is to be given along with FFP. A more recent hypothesis is supported by the results of studies published by the end of 1998 [Moake J, Chintagumpala M, Turner N et al. Blood 1994;84:490-97; Moake J, McPherson PD. Am J Med 1989;87: 3-9N] which would show that TTP is mediated by auto-antibodies to VWF-cleaving protease, or is the result of deficiency of the protease ascribed to abnormalities in its production, function or survival. Plasmapheresis without plasma infusion is relatively ineffective perhaps because it does not increase the protease activity. Cascade filtration (CF) is the autologous counterpart of plasmapheresis. It has been used by our group since 1980 to remove from patients plasma macromolecules such as VWF, fibrinogen, LDL and circulatory immune complexes (CIC). After secondary filtration, the autologous plasma has a composition which is very similar to that of allogeneic plasma after cryoprecipitation, a product which used in the management of TTP. Based on this knowledge, in 1994 we began to use CF in the treatment of TTP patients. In the beginning (7 patients) CF was combined with a decreasing number of conventional PEs using allogeneic plasma for substitution. Lately only CF with some plasma supplementation has been used in the last 9 cases. From a clinical point of view our 16 patients achieved remission after a number of treatments (11 +/- 7) that compares sufficiently well with those required by our historical control group of 47 cases (14 +/- 13). Of course the patient's exposure to allogenic plasma was significantly lower for patients in the CF only group (1.4 +/- 1.2 plasma U/session) compared to the PE + CF group (4.4 +/- 2.3 plasma U/session) or for the controls treated by PE only (10.8 +/- 4.6 plasma U/session). There were no deaths in the CF or PE + CF groups and no untoward effect was observed. On the contrary there were 5 deaths (1 on the day of presentation) in the PE group, and 1 HBV and 2 HCV infections as well as 4 severe allergic reactions to plasma proteins (or passive antibody infusion). We conclude that CF is presently the best treatment to offer to patients suffering from sporadic TTP and that CF may contribute to expanding the knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms of this uncommon multisystem disorder.

Persistent hypersplenism early after liver transplant: the role of splenectomy

BACKGROUND

Transient thrombocytopenia is common after liver transplantation, but persisting thrombocytopenia worsens the prognosis after transplant.

METHODS

Two patients underwent splenectomy for persistent thrombocytopenia early after liver transplantation. The first patient had a platelet count of 17,000/mm3 on postoperative day (POD) 6; her hemoglobin and white blood cell counts were normal. Work-ups including bone marrow aspiration, Coombs test, and antiplatelet antibody test were negative. On POD 9, she had abdominal bleeding with a platelet count of 17,000/mm3 despite repeated platelet transfusions, and splenectomy was done. The second patient had a platelet count of 3000/mm3 on POD 14, white blood cell was 1600/mm3, and hemoglobin was 7.7 g/dl. Bone marrow biopsy revealed hypercellular marrow. Because his platelet count remained at 2000/mm3 despite empiric treatment with intravenous immune globulin and methylprednisolone, splenectomy was performed.

RESULTS

The first patient's platelet count rose to 155,000/mm3 by POD 8. The second patient's platelet count reached 210,000/mm3 on POD 5. Neither patient has had an episode of thrombocytopenia at 36 and 32 months after splenectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Splenectomy can be used after liver transplantation for severe, persistent thrombocytopenic states that cannot be attributed to sepsis, intravascular coagulation, immunological causes, or drug effects.

Postoperative thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following cardiovascular surgeries

Among 47 patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), 8 patients were diagnosed to have postoperative-TTP. Two patients underwent vascular surgery, 5 patients coronary artery bypass grafts, and 1 patient resection of myocardial sarcoma. Prior to surgery, all patients except one had normal hemograms and platelet counts, and blood smears showed no schistocytes. Five to 19 days after surgery, all 8 patients developed postoperative TTP, which clinical feature was characterized by unexplained progressive encephalopathy, thrombocytopenia, and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. In addition, in 3 patients, progressive gangrene of the toes also developed. Four patients achieved complete remission following exchange plasmapheresis and 1 patient spontaneous remission. Due to complicated surgical settings after surgery, recognition of TTP was often delayed and it contributed to death in 3 patients despite treatment with exchange plasmapheresis. In view of occurrence of postoperative TTP following cardiac and vascular surgeries, pathogenic mechanism for postoperative TTP may be explained on the basis of injury of diseased endothelial surface and release of a humoral factor(s) that results in platelet aggregation in the capillaries and arterioles. Our experience with these cases indicates that TTP may occur as a serious complication of cardiac and vascular surgeries, and early recognition of the diagnosis and institution of exchange plasmapheresis are of paramount importance for favorable outcome.