THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE

Shen Xude, Cheng Hongmei

(Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Hospital of TCM, Urumchi)

This paper deals with 28 cases of chronic thrombocytopenic purpura treated by traditional acupuncture method. 10 male, 18 female, aged from 14 to 50 years old. The course of diseases were from six months to fifteen years; 24 were primary and 4 secondary. 18 were in-patient and 10 out-patient. Before acupuncture treatment, all cases had accepted drug therapy, but were ineffective and exhibited haemorrhagic symptoms, peripheral platelet count below 100,000/mm3; marrow smear revealed abnormal maturation of platelets or abnormal haematopoesis.

Points selected: Geshu, Pishu, Xiehai, Sanyinjiao.

Manipulation: Initially, the point to be tapped were Geshu, Pishu. The needle was inserted obliquely to the vertebral column. After arrival of needling reaction (Qi), the needle was retained for 5 minutes, and followed by withdrawal of the needle. The secondary selected points Sanyinjiao, Xuehai were inserted directly during operation. Then the needle was rotated with the manipulation "insert and withdraw" the needle step by step from shallow to deep. After arrival of needle reaction (Qi), the needle was retained for 30 minutes. Treatment was given once daily. Thirty treatments were considered as one course.

Therapeutic effect: 16 cases were distinctly effective, the haemorrhagic symptom disappeared, and the platelet elevated above 100,000/mm3. making up 57.4%. 9 cases were followed up for six months afterwards, among which 6 cases maintained the therapeutic effect. Among the 28 cases, 5 were improved. Hemorrhagic symptom diminished. The platelet increased 20,000/mm3, but the total count were less than 100,000/mm3. 7 cases were ineffective. Symptom were not improved, platelet count were not increased (include 2 cases of aplastic anemia). The total effective rate was 75%. This paper reports 3 typical cases. Since the second and third week of treatment, the platelet count increased. But the ineffective cases were not responded, despite prolong the course of treatment according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, Spleen possess the action of governing blood, and thrombocytopenia is correlated to spleen deficiency. The selected point of this series is to improve the vital function of the Spleen meridian. Through the investigation of contrastive cases it reveals that the aforementioned points of our series exhibited a relative specificity of thrombocytopoiesis.