BACKGROUND: Although splenectomy is helpful in the management of splenic hemangioma, this procedure may result in a greater morbidity and even mortality, mainly caused by sepsis, when this operation is performed in children and teenagers, due to their immune deficiency. In order to avoid the adverse effects associated with the asplenism, this paper proposes partial splenectomy is proposed to treat splenic hemangioma. METHOD/CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old boy with hemangioma of the lower pole of the spleen was cared for by the authors. Partial splenectomy of the lower third part of the spleen was carried out without bleeding or technical difficulties. This patient had an uneventful postoperative follow-up. He was discharged from the hospital on the second postoperative day and returned to his normal activities after two weeks. The over twenty five-month-follow-up showed normal spleen in size and functions without clinical adverse events. CONCLUSION: Partial splenectomy should be considered and recommended as a good surgical treatment for splenic hemangioma.
BACKGROUND: Although splenectomy is helpful in the management of splenic hemangioma, this procedure may result in a greater morbidity and even mortality, mainly caused by sepsis, when this operation is performed in children and teenagers, due to their immune deficiency. In order to avoid the adverse effects associated with the asplenism, this paper proposes partial splenectomy is proposed to treat splenic hemangioma. METHOD/CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old boy with hemangioma of the lower pole of the spleen was cared for by the authors. Partial splenectomy of the lower third part of the spleen was carried out without bleeding or technical difficulties. This patient had an uneventful postoperative follow-up. He was discharged from the hospital on the second postoperative day and returned to his normal activities after two weeks. The over twenty five-month-follow-up showed normal spleen in size and functions without clinical adverse events. CONCLUSION: Partial splenectomy should be considered and recommended as a good surgical treatment for splenic hemangioma.