Preoperative embolization of the splenic artery in patients that underwent splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Unlabelled: Transfusion of platelets, red blood cells, or both is usually necessary immediately after splenic artery ligature in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura who undergo splenectomy.

Purpose: To investigate whether preoperative embolization of the splenic artery reduced the need for transfusion of platelets, red blood cells, or both.

Methods: Twenty- seven consecutive patients that underwent splenectomy for purpura between October 1999 and March 2006 performed by the same surgical team were enrolled.