Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy for a splenic hamartoma.

We present a patient with a hamartoma of the spleen. The case was thought to be a good indication for a hand-assisted laparoscopic approach and treatment was successful. Until now, only one case of a laparoscopic removal of a splenic hamartoma has been reported. Focal lesions of the spleen should be removed intact to allow a complete histological examination and to avoid peritoneal dissemination in case of malignancy. In these patients, the hand-assisted approach makes possible the removal of an unminced organ and has the advantage of being a purely laparoscopic technique. It should thus be considered the method of choice for surgical treatment.