[Laparoscopic splenectomy: the learning process]

This is a report of our initial experience with laparoscopic splenectomy in children. From August 1997 to March 1999, 19 patients underwent laparoscopic splenectomy for various hematologic disorders. The ages ranged from 3 to 13 years. A four port technique was used to perform the procedure. All 19 procedures were completed successfully laparoscopically. The average surgical blood loss was 60 cc. The average operative time was 138 min and the length of stay in the hospital 2.5 days. One patient required a reintervention because of postoperative bleeding. We discuss the learning curve in our laparoscopic splenectomy cases.