Rt. Schlinkert et Ta. Braich, LAPAROSCOPIC ASSISTED SPLENECTOMY FOR TREATMENT OF PRESUMED IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA - INITIAL RESULTS, Mayo Clinic proceedings, 69(5), 1994, pp. 422-424
Objective: To present the initial results of performance of laparoscop
ic splenectomy in two patients at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale. Design: We d
escribe two 18-year-old patients with idiopathic immune thrombocytopen
ic purpura and the technique of laparoscopic splenectomy used for trea
tment. Material and Methods: For adequate visualization of the spleen
and exposure of the upper midline area should urgent laparotomy become
necessary, we position the patient supine with a sandbag under the le
ft lower costal margin. Insertion of five 10-mm trocars facilitates pl
acement of instruments. Dissection of the spleen is begun inferiorly.
The splenic flexure of the colon is reflected inferiorly, and the sple
en is rotated anterolaterally to allow division of the gastrosplenic l
igament and the splenic hilum. Individual vessels are divided between
clips, as are the short gastric vessels. Cautery is used for dividing
the splenophrenic ligament. The spleen is placed in a plastic bag, and
the open end of the bag is delivered through the umbilical incision,
after which the spleen is morcellated and then removed. Considerable c
are must be exercised to ensure that the plastic bag is not punctured
and that no ectopic splenic tissue is present. Results: Both laparosco
pic splenectomies were successful, and no intraoperative or postoperat
ive complications occurred. After dismissal on postoperative day 3, th
e patients quickly resumed all activities. The platelet counts returne
d to normal. Conclusion: These encouraging results support the use of
laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura and sugge
st that this procedure may have a role in patients with other conditio
ns of the spleen.