Purpose
Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) as a treatment for hematological diseases has proven its safety and efficacy with experienced surgeons. The authors present a series of LSs performed in the institution and review the experience with this approach.
Patients and methods
Medical records of 25 consecutive patients who underwent LS from October 2011 to March 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on patient demographics, operative time, operative blood loss, hospital stay, and complications were evaluated. A comparison between the former period (group A, 2011–2015) and the latter period (2015–2019) was performed.
Results
The patients comprised 23 women and two men with a mean age of 35 years. The mean operative time, operative blood loss, and hospital stay were 150 min, 145 ml, and 3 days, respectively. Open conversion was performed in three (12%) patients due to intraoperative bleeding (all open conversions were in group A). Total complications occurred in three (12%) patients. A comparison between groups A and B revealed a significant shorter operative time in group B than in group A (<0.05) with no significant difference in operative blood loss, open conversion, complications, and hospital stay.
Conclusion
LS is feasible and provides good results and safe outcomes. Further prospective studies on a larger number of patients are needed.