BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility and complications of laparoscopic splenectomy. METHODS: Retrospective assessment of medical records of the patients who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy from January of 1998 to March of 2003. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (22 female, 13 male) underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. The indications were: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (29 patients), lymphoma (3), hemolytic anemia (2), spherocytosis (1). The mean size of the spleen was 12cm (from 7cm to 27cm), and the mean weight was 262gr (from 30gr to 1850gr). Accessory spleen was found in six patients. The mean operative time was 195min (form 120 to 270min). There were three cases of intra-operative bleeding (8%), with two of them requiring conversion. Two other cases of conversion occurred due to splenomegaly. Postoperative complications were observed in three patients (8%). The mean hospital stay was 1.7 day (from 1 to 7 days). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe procedure and is associated with low complication rate and reduced hospital stay. Limiting factors are the surgeon’s experience, obesity and splenomegaly.
Splenectomy; Laparoscopy; Spleen; Purpura; Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic
