Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura During Pregnancy: Laparoscopic Treatment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic surgical techniques in pregnancy have been accepted and pose minimal risks to the patient and fetus. We present the first reported case of a pregnant woman with immune thrombocytopenia purpura who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy during the second trimester. METHODS AND RESULTS: The anesthesia, hematology, and obstetrics services closely followed the patient's preoperative and intraoperative courses. After receiving immunization, stress dose steroids, and prophylactic antibiotics, she underwent a successful laparoscopic splenectomy. After a short hospital stay, the patient was discharged home. CONCLUSION: Immune thrombocytopenia purpura can be an indication for splenectomy. As demonstrated in appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and our case presentation, laparoscopic splenectomy can be safely performed during pregnancy.