<prompt> A patient with ITP has a platelet count of 50,000 and is being planned for splenectomy. What is the best time for platelet infusion in this patient?2 hours before surgeryAt the time of skin incisionAfter ligating the splenic aeryImmediately after removal of spleen  <response>: In the acute cases with severe bleeding which cannot be brought under control by steroid therapy, fresh blood transfusion or transfusion with platelet concentrates before operation is necessary, and is administered only after the splenic aery has been clamped. Platelets administered before this point in the surgery are unlikely to be effective owing to their rapid clearance by the spleen. Ref: Harrisons Internal Medicine, 17th Edition, Page 721; Bailey and Loves Sho Practice of Surgery, 24th Edition, Page 1089 and 25th Edition, Page 1106 