# Evaluating the Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Removal of an Accessory Spleen After a Failed Splenectomy for Immune Thrombocytopenia

## TL;DR

This case study examines the effectiveness of removing an accessory spleen in a patient with immune thrombocytopenia who did not respond to previous treatments.

## Contribution

It highlights the limitations of laparoscopic accessory spleen removal in managing refractory immune thrombocytopenia.

## Key findings

- Complete removal of the accessory spleen did not improve platelet counts in the patient.
- Medical therapies remained ineffective after the surgical procedure.
- The study suggests the need for further research on the long-term effectiveness of this approach.

## Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a challenging condition to manage especially when conventional treatment methods, including splenectomy, fail. This report evaluates the effectiveness of laparoscopic removal of accessory spleen for chronic refractory ITP after an initial splenectomy. A 73-year-old African American male with a history of ITP, previously treated with laparoscopic splenectomy nine years ago, presented with severe thrombocytopenia that was found to be refractory to medical therapies. Platelet counts were monitored, and the absence of Howell-Jolly bodies was noted in the peripheral blood smear. Imaging studies over the past eight years indicated the growth of a mass in the left upper abdomen, suggesting a possible accessory spleen. Given the overwhelming evidence of a splenule in refractory thrombocytopenia, laparoscopic exploration and mass removal were conducted. Histologic analysis of the removed mass confirmed a splenule. Despite the complete removal of the mass, postoperative platelet counts remained consistently low and unresponsive to the resumption of medical therapies. This study emphasizes the limitations of accessory splenectomy for refractory ITP and highlights the need for further research to clarify the long-term effectiveness of this surgical procedure in these patients.