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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Application of Laparoscopic Partial Splenectomy with Total Blood Flow Occlusion in Benign Splenic Lesions
Published on: December 20, 2024
101 laparoscopic splenectomies for the treatment of benign and malignant hematologic disorders
Eric M Knauer1, Gorav Ailawadi, Alan Yahanda
1Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Background:
Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is the surgical approach of choice for patients with hematologic disorders requiring splenectomy. Patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) have normal to slightly enlarged spleens and benefit the most from LS.
Methods:
We reviewed the perioperative outcomes in 101 patients who underwent LS between May 1996 and December 2002. Patients were divided into three groups--ITP, other benign, and malignant hematologic disorders--and compared.
Results:
The ITP patients (n = 48) had significantly smaller spleens and operative times compared with the other groups. Splenomegaly in the other benign (n = 23) and malignant hematologic disorders (n = 30) groups was responsible for higher open conversion rates and greater need for hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy (HALS).
Conclusions:
Laparoscopic splenectomy and HALS can be performed with good results for benign and malignant hematologic disorders. The benefits of HALS are similar to LS, so there should be a low threshold for HALS in patients with large spleens.
