Splenomegaly should not be considered a contraindication for laparoscopic splenectomy

• Published in: Annals of surgery Vol. 228; no. 1; pp. 35 - 39
• Main Authors: TARGARONA, E. M, ESPERT, J. J, BALAGUE, C, PIULACHS, J, ARTIGAS, V, TRIAS, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott 01.07.1998
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Contraindications; Female; Humans; Laparoscopy; Liver, biliary tract, pancreas, portal circulation, spleen; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Organ Size; Prospective Studies; Splenectomy - methods; Splenic Diseases - pathology; Splenic Diseases - surgery; Splenomegaly; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the digestive system; Human; Spleen; Splenectomy; Endoscopic surgery; Relation; Treatment; Size; Splenic disease; Digestive diseases; Exploration; Laparoscopy; Result
• ISSN: 0003-4932; 1528-1140
• DOI: 10.1097/00000658-199807000-00006

To analyze the impact of spleen size on operative and immediate clinical outcome in a series of 74 laparoscopic splenectomies (LS). LS is gaining acceptance as an alternative to open splenectomy. However, splenomegaly hinders LS, and massive splenomegaly has been considered a contraindication. Between February 1993 and September 1997, 74 patients with a wide range of splenic disorders were treated by laparoscopy and prospectively recorded. They were classified into three groups according to spleen weight: group I, <400 g (n = 52); group II, 400 to 1000 g (n = 9); and group III, >1000 g (n = 13). Age, operative time, number of trocars required, need for perioperative transfusion, spleen weight, conversion rate, mode of spleen retrieval (bag or accessory incision), postoperative analgesia requirements, length of hospital stay, and morbidity rates were recorded. LS was completed in 69 patients, and the conversion rate was thus 6.7%. Operative time was significantly longer in patients with larger spleens, and an accessory incision was more frequently required. However, there were no significant differences in transfusion rate, length of stay, severe morbidity, or conversion rate. Preliminary evaluation of LS for patients with large spleens suggests that it requires a longer operative time, but it is feasible and may potentially offer the same advantages (shorter stay and faster recovery) as it does to those with smaller spleens.