Effect of Splenectomy on the Response to Platelet Transfusion in Three Patients with Aplastic Anemia

THE variability in the natural history of both acquired and idiopathic aplastic anemia makes it difficult to evaluate the success of any specific program of therapy. With careful attention to supportive care, including transfusion of whole blood and the use of antibiotics, spontaneous remissions do occur. The addition of corticosteroids, splenectomy and, most recently, testosterone to such programs has resulted in many reports of limited success in the treatment of this disease.1 2 3 4 5 However, with the most intensive efforts the prognosis in aplastic anemia remains poor. Even the more favorable studies report mortality rates higher than 50 per cent. In the . . .