[Partial spleen resection using a stapler]

At emergency laparotomy after a fall bleeding from injuries to the upper pole and from lacerations involving the hilum of the spleen were found in a 2 1/2-year-old girl. Partial splenectomy using a linear stapler allowed preservation of the lower pole with intact vessels. Observed peroperatively for 10 minutes, the splenic remnant retrained a macroscopically normal appearance. Blood transfusion was avoided and drainage postoperatively comprised no more than 25 ml serosanguineous fluid. Provided intact splenic capsule can be used for the line of resection, partial splenectomy using a linear stapler seems to be a safe method.