Portal and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis after splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis are rare complications of splenectomy. Their presentation depends on the underlying disease. It is most frequent in lymphoproliferative disorders but extremely rare in trauma. We describe a 22-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman who underwent splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and developed mesenteric and portal vein thromboses. Both were treated successfully with anticoagulants for 3 months until the thrombi regressed, as shown by CT scan. During a year of follow-up they were asymptomatic.