Laparoscopic splenectomy.

The innovations in laparoscopic technology have expanded the variety of general surgical procedures amenable to laparoscopic approach. An initial experience with eight cases of laparoscopic splenectomy is presented. The indications for splenectomy were immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP, n = 6), hereditary spherocytosis (n = 1) and enlarged spleen with filling defects (n = 1). There were six females and two males, aged 27 to 46 years. Seven patients had the spleen removed laparoscopically and one had laparoscopically assisted splenectomy. The operations took from 2 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min (mean 2 h 45 min). The spleens removed varied from 70 to 563 g (mean = 250). Blood loss ranged from insignificant to 1400 mL. Significant bleeding was encountered in three patients with moderate splenomegaly (240, 350, 563 g). Two patients received autologous blood transfusion. The average narcotic required was three doses. The patients were discharged after a mean postoperative stay of 3 days (range 2-4). One patient developed a below knee deep venous thrombosis. Laparoscopic splenectomy is possible and promises to provide the advantages associated with other laparoscopic procedures. Patients with an enlarged spleen can present a technical challenge, and there is a potential for significant blood loss. The current technology and laparoscopic expertise means that this procedure should probably be limited to patients whose spleens are not palpable clinically.