BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is becoming the procedure of choice in the treatment of children with hematological disorders. However, concerns remains regarding conversion rates, dissection and extraction of the spleen. The authors analyze their early experience at Boldrini's Children Cancer Center-Brazil in 40 LS performed in children and young adults. METHODS: Retrospective review of the charts of 40 patients (median age of 6.6 years; range 1 to 22.8) who underwent LS, between July/ 2000 and May/ 2002. The main indications were sickle cell disease (SCD) (20 - 50 %), hereditary spherocytosis (10 - 25 %) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (8 - 20 %). RESULTS: All but two splenectomies were performed exclusively by laparoscopy, and 12 patients also underwent a concomitant cholecystectomy. The mean operating time was 127.5 minutes (90-240m). In seven patients (17.5%) accessory spleens were found and removed. Intraoperative bleeding was significant only in the two cases that required conversion to an open procedure, although no transfusion was needed. The median weight of the spleen was 250 g (range 106g-1000g; n=36). Complications were observed in seven patients (17.5 %) with SCD that developed acute chest syndrome. There were no deaths in this series and the median postoperative stay at the hospital was two days (2 - 14). Follow-up ranged from 23 days to two years. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our experience, LS is a safe procedure, even to treat large spleens and became an attractive option that might replace the open procedure. In SCD patients, the rate of complications remains high, suggesting mechanisms other than the scope of the choice of surgical approach.
Laparoscopy; Splenectomy; Sickle cell disease
