Abstract
Thrombocytopenia is a hematological disorder frequently found in patients with chronic liver disease （CLD）. In September 2015, Lusutrombopag was approved because of its efficacy shown for improving thrombocytopenia in CLD patients scheduled for an elective open procedure. This drug is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist that has been shown to be a relatively safe and noninvasive platelet-increasing agent when given preoperatively to improve platelet count. Here, we report a patient with a lower gingival carcinoma and history of thrombocytopenia associated with hepatitis C who was given Lusutrombopag prior to surgery, with good results obtained. The patient was a 75-year-old woman. At our first consultation, a neoplastic lesion with a granular surface sized 30×20mm was observed in the right side of the lower gingiva. She had a history of hepatitis C; a hematological examination performed at the first consultation showed a platelet count of 65,000/μl, indicating a reduced count. On the basis of our diagnosis of right lower gingival carcinoma （cT2N0M0）, surgery was planned. The patient was administered Lusutrombopag （3 mg/day） from 11 days before the operation. Two days prior to the scheduled surgical procedures, the platelet count had elevated to 136,000/μl. The peri- and postoperative courses were favorable, without hemorrhage or thrombosis noted during or after surgery.
