Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura that Developed after Rectal Cancer Surgery.
- Author:
Dae Dong KIM
1
;
Ui Sup SHIN
;
Sang Nam YOON
;
Chang Sik YU
;
Jin Cheon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. jckim@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura;
Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia;
Postoperative;
Plasmapheresis
- MeSH:
Anemia;
Anemia, Hemolytic;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Female;
Fever;
Humans;
Orthopedics;
Plasmapheresis;
Postoperative Complications;
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic;
Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic;
Rectal Neoplasms;
Renal Insufficiency;
Thrombocytopenia;
Thymine Nucleotides
- From:Journal of the Korean Surgical Society
2008;74(6):452-455
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in the acute postoperative setting is a syndrome that presents with various symptoms such as microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, renal failure, and change of the patient's mental status. Though most of the previous reports of postoperative TTP have been in conjunction with cardiac or vascular surgery, it has also been reported following orthopedic and abdominal surgeries. We present here a case of a 78 year-old female who was diagnosed with rectal cancer and who developed TTP the 2nd day following her cancer surgery. Because the presentation can be confused with other early postoperative complications, TTP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the patient who develops unexplained anemia and thrombocytopenia following an abdominal surgery. Awareness of this syndrome is essential because starting plasmapheresis early can be life-saving.
