BACKGROUND: Since 1979 this group of authors is doing conservative splenic surgical procedures by mean of subtotal splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation. These procedures were used in over 300 patients to treat different pathological conditions. AIM: To present for the first time in the world subtotal splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation by laparoscopic means, as a new treatment for severe pain due to ischemic spleen. METHODS: Three patients presented left abdominal severe pain due to diffuse ischemia of the spleen. This symptom was resistant to all conservative treatment. Laparoscopic subtotal splenectomy, with preservation of the upper splenic pole was indicated in two cases because this was the only part of the spleen without signs of ischemia. In a third patient ischemia was diffuse and total splenectomy with 20 implants of the splenic tissue on the greater was carried out. RESULTS: These procedures were safely conducted with minor bleeding and no technical difficulties or complications. The postoperative follow-up has been uneventful and hematological, immunological, tomographic and scintigraphic exams confirmed the vitality and functionality of the splenic remnants. The pain disappeared since the first post-operative day in the three patients. CONCLUSION: It is feasible and safe to perform subtotal splenectomy and splenic autotransplants by laparoscopy and these procedures seem to be a good treatment for pain due to ischemic spleen.
Splenectomy; Partial splenectomy; Subtotal splenectomy; Splenic autotransplant; Laparoscopic splenectomy; Ischemic spleen; Splenic pain
