Eight patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and no response to steroids therapy were prepared for splenectomy, for 5 consecutive days, with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG, 0.4 g/kg body weight). Increase of platelet counts and/or remission of haemorrhagic diathesis were observed in 7 patients, in one case IVIG proved ineffective. Splenectomy was performed in 7 cases and the postoperative course was uneventful. IVIG treatment has proved efficient in preparing ITP patients for splenectomy.