Laparoscopic splenectomy for primary immune thrombocytopenia: Current status and challenges

Clinical comparative study of laparoscopic partial splenectomy and open partial splenectomy

Introduction

The aim of the article was too investigate and compare the feasibility, safety, and early postoperative recovery associated with laparoscopic partial splenectomy (LPS) and open partial splenectomy (OPS) in patients with benign splenic tumours and traumatic splenic rupture.

Material and methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 110 patients undergoing splenic resection at our hospital between March 2019 and May 2022. Among them, 35 patients underwent OPS, 25 underwent LPS for traumatic splenic rupture, while 50 patients with benign splenic tumours underwent either OPS (n = 20) or LPS (n = 30). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected and compared. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software.

Results

There was no significant difference in the general data between the 2 groups of patients with benign splenic tumours and those with splenic trauma. Among patients with traumatic splenic rupture, the OPS group had a shorter operation time (p < 0.05). Regardless of whether they had traumatic splenic rupture or benign splenic tumours, the LPS group required less postoperative analgesia and had a shorter defecation recovery time (p < 0.05). Additionally, the LPS group displayed lower white blood cell count, white blood cell/lymphocyte ratio (WLR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), calcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) than the OPS group on the first and third days post-surgery (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In comparison to OPS, LPS presents significant advantages, including minimal surgical trauma, a reduced early postoperative inflammatory response, milder wound pain, and a faster recovery of gastrointestinal function.

Management of immune thrombocytopenia: 2022 update of Korean experts recommendations

Despite the availability of therapies to treat patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), there is currently little data from randomized trials to assist clinicians in managing patients. The evidence-based guidelines of the Korean Society of Hematology Aplastic Anemia Working Party (KSHAAWP) are intended to support patients and physicians in the management of ITP. Experts from the KSHAAWP discussed and described this guideline according to the current treatment situation for ITP in Korea and finalized the guidelines. The expert panel recommended the management of ITP in adult and pediatric patients with newly diagnosed, persistent, and chronic disease refractory to first-line therapy with minor bleeding. Management approaches include observation and administration of corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, anti-D immunoglobulin, and thrombopoietin receptor agonists. Currently, evidence supporting strong recommendations for various management approaches is lacking. Therefore, a large focus was placed on shared decision-making, especially regarding second-line treatment.

American Society of Hematology 2019 guidelines for immune thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND

Despite an increase in the number of therapies available to treat patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), there are minimal data from randomized trials to assist physicians with the management of patients.

OBJECTIVE

These evidence-based guidelines of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) are intended to support patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals in their decisions about the management of ITP.

METHODS

In 2015, ASH formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel that included 8 adult clinical experts, 5 pediatric clinical experts, 2 methodologists with expertise in ITP, and 2 patient representatives. The panel was balanced to minimize potential bias from conflicts of interest. The panel reviewed the ASH 2011 guideline recommendations and prioritized questions. The panel used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, including evidence-to-decision frameworks, to appraise evidence (up to May 2017) and formulate recommendations.

RESULTS

The panel agreed on 21 recommendations covering management of ITP in adults and children with newly diagnosed, persistent, and chronic disease refractory to first-line therapy who have non-life-threatening bleeding. Management approaches included: observation, corticosteroids, IV immunoglobulin, anti-D immunoglobulin, rituximab, splenectomy, and thrombopoietin receptor agonists.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a lack of evidence to support strong recommendations for various management approaches. In general, strategies that avoided medication side effects were favored. A large focus was placed on shared decision-making, especially with regard to second-line therapy. Future research should apply standard corticosteroid-dosing regimens, report patient-reported outcomes, and include cost-analysis evaluations.

Is ITP really a desirable indication for teaching laparoscopic splenectomy? Cohort study

Background: We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) compared with operated for other indications. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent LS in 1998-2017. Group 1 consisted of 256 patients operated for ITP, and Group 2 of 231 operated for other indications. Primary outcome was procedure difficulty. Secondary was perioperative course (30 days of surgery). Results: Patients in Group 1 were younger (p < .001) with lower ASA (p < .001). The spleen was larger in Group 2 (p < .001). Operative time was longer in Group 2 [110 (80-150) vs. 90 (65-115) min; p < .001)]. Intraoperative blood loss was greater in Group 2 (p < .001). Conversions were higher in Group 2 (4.76 vs. 6.93%, p = .037), as were intraoperative complications (7.79 vs. 3.91%, p = .048). Morbidity, reoperations and mortality did not differ between groups (respectively, p = .899, .697, and .999). Median length of stay was similar (p = .211). Among the first 10 LSs performed by trainees, 63.66% were done for ITP. Later (after 11+ procedures) this dropped to 48.12% (p = .002). Conclusions: ITP may be a preferred indication for surgeons training for LS. Patients' characteristics and intraoperative factors allow an expectation for a relatively easy and hassle-free operation in those patients.

Prognostic Factors for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Remission after Laparoscopic Splenectomy: A Cohort Study

Background and Objectives: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has become the gold standard for patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The total remission rate after splenectomy is 70%–90%, of which 66% is long-term. Despite this high response rate, some patients do not benefit from surgery. It is therefore important to try to identify risk factors for an unsatisfactory clinical response. The aim of this study was to assess long-term outcomes of LS for ITP and identify factors associated with increased disease remission rates. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied consecutive patients with ITP undergoing LS in a tertiary referral surgical center prospectively recorded in a database. Inclusion criteria were: Elective, laparoscopic splenectomy for diagnosed ITP, and complete follow-up. The cohort was divided into two groups—Group 1 (G1) patients with ITP remission after splenectomy and Group 2 (G2) patients without remission. There were 113 G1 patients and 52 G2 patients. Median follow-up was 9.5 (IQR: 5–15) years. Results: In univariate analysis, patient’s age, body mass index (BMI), preoperative platelet count, the need for platelet transfusions, and presence of hemorrhagic diathesis were shown to be statistically significant factors. Next, we built a multivariate logistic regression model using factors significant in univariate analysis. Age <41 years (odds ratio (OR) 4.49; 95% CI: 1.66–12.09), BMI < 24.3 kg/m² (OR: 4.67; 95% CI: 1.44–15.16), and preoperative platelet count ≥97 × 10³/mm³ (OR: 3.50; 95% CI: 1.30–9.47) were shown to be independent prognostic factors for ITP remission after LS. Conclusions: The independent prognostic factors for ITP remission after LS revealed in our study are: age <41 years, BMI < 2 4.3 kg/m², and preoperative platelet count ≥97 × 10³/mm³. Duration of the ITP and the time of treatment are not related to remission after LS.

Quest for the optimal technique of laparoscopic splenectomy - vessels first or hilar transection?

Introduction

Throughout our 20 years of experience, we have used several different techniques for laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). However, two methods have been used most frequently: "vessels first" and "hilar transection".

Aim

To evaluate the outcomes of LS performed with these two different approaches.

Material and methods

It was an observational study based on retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing LS in a tertiary referral surgical center in the period 1998-2017. We excluded patients with splenic trauma, initially submitted to open surgery, stapled transection of splenic hilum, partial resections of the spleen and other spleen-preserving procedures. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 ("vessels first") with 188 patients, and group 2 ("hilar transection") with 287 patients.

Results

Mean operative time was shorter (p < 0.001) and blood loss was lower (p < 0.001) in group 2. The need for blood transfusions and the conversion rate were higher in group 1 (p = 0.044 and p = 0.003 respectively). There was no difference in intraoperative adverse events (p = 0.179). Overall postoperative morbidity did not differ between groups (p = 0.081) and we noted mortality of 0.21% (1 patient of group 2). The morbidity rate associated with accidental injury of the pancreatic parenchyma was significantly higher in group 1 (p = 0.028). Median length of hospital stay was 4 days (range: 1-99) and did not differ between groups (p = 0.175).

Conclusions

The "vessels first" technique is associated with longer operative time, higher blood loss and increased risk of conversion. "Hilar transection" is associated with lower incidence of local complications related most likely to accidental injury of the pancreatic tail. In the case of a large caliber of splenic vessels the "vessels first" approach remains the technique of choice.

Predictive Factors for Success of Laparoscopic Splenectomy for ITP

Background and Objectives:

Therapy-resistant immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the most frequent indication of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). It ensures the best results for this disease compared with possible second-line pharmacologic therapies. Therefore, learning about the safety of the surgical method and its long-term efficacy is important, as is selecting patients who respond to surgical treatment. Our purpose was to analyze the safety of LS and the short-and long-term prognostic significance of known perioperative parameters.

Methods:

We performed 40 LSs for ITP from January 1, 2000, to January 1, 2015. We analyzed the roles of the perioperative parameters by using evidence-based guidelines.

Results:

Complete response (CR; platelet count over 100 × 10⁹/L) occurred in 28 cases (70%) and partial response (PR; platelet count between 30 and 100 × 10⁹/L) in 5 cases (12.5%). Below the age of 50, 9% (2/22) of the patients had no response (NR; platelet count not increasing over 30 × 10⁹/L), 28% (5/18) over the age of 50 (P = .023) had no response. In the steroid-refractory group, 30% did not respond, whereas 100% of the steroid-dependent patients had a CR (NR: 7/23 steroid refractory vs 0/17 steroid dependent; P = .027). The patients were followed up for a mean of 10.9 ± 6.9 years, and a long-term response (LTR) was detected in 21 of the responders (n = 33). Of the patients who originally had a CR, 71% also achieved LTR, whereas only 20% of the PR patients did.

Conclusion:

LS is safe and remains the most effective second-line treatment for ITP. In our study, younger age and response to preoperative steroids were predictive factors for the long-term success of splenectomy.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenia in patients with a very low platelet count

Introduction

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is the gold standard in treating immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, there are still some problems in decision-making when considering LS in patients with a very low platelet count (PLT).

Aim

To evaluate safety outcomes of LS in patients with severe ITP and very low PLT in comparison to those with higher PLT.

Material and methods

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent LS in a single institution between April 1998 and December 2017. Perioperative care was based on an algorithm developed at our department which takes into consideration the patient's PLT level. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the PLT level (cut-off point 50,000/mm³).

Results

The mean operative time in the low PLT group and high PLT group was 90 ±42.1 min and 95 ±45 min, respectively (p = 0.59). Intraoperative blood loss was 144 ±226.1 ml in the low PLT group and 83 ±161.24 ml in the high PLT group (p = 0.23). Complications occurred in 5 (9.09%) patients in the low PLT group and 16 (11.51%) in the high PLT group (p = 0.67). There were no conversions in the group with lower PLT, while 2 patients in the group with higher PLT had to be converted to open surgery (p = 0.38). Patients with low PLT preoperatively more often required perioperative platelet transfusions (13 vs. 1, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic splenectomy is safe and feasible treatment in patients with ITP regardless of the PLT level. Still, patients with critical ITP and marginally low PLT require special awareness.