[Perioperative management of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

Patients suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP) who undergo surgery may have an increased risk of postoperative bleeding complications. In general, bleeding is a regular occurrence when the platelet count is less than 30,000 to 50,000/mm3. Therefore, high-dose immunoglobulin therapy and transfusion of platelet concentrates are used to increase the platelet count immediately before operation. In our experience of 3 patients undergoing operations, preoperative management was performed by these methods and platelet concentrates were transfused during and after surgery. No difficulty was encountered with hemostasis and the postoperative course was uneventful in all 3 patients. In patients with ITP, adequate perioperative management, such as high-dose immunoglobulin and platelet transfusion allows surgical treatment to be performed safely and successfully.