[Laparoscopic splenectomy in pediatrics. Review of 72 cases]

Splenectomy in childhood is nearly always related to hematologic disorders such as hereditary spherocytosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, sickle cell anemia and others. In recent years, laparoscopic splenectomy evolved into a safe and effective procedure that requires less hospital stay, and benefits the patient with a best postoperative period and excellent cosmetic results. The authors reveal a 6 year experience in treating 72 children with different diseases that required laparoscopic splenectomy. After progressing in their training curve and with the acquisition of new technology for endoscopic thermocoagulation, the authors conclude that minimally invasive surgery is the procedure of choice for most surgical spleen diseases in children.