Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Splenectomy In Children: A Case Report with Literature Review
Published on: March 27, 2026
Spleen surgery in pediatric age: seven-year unicentric experience
Girolamo Mattioli1, Stefano Avanzini, Alessio Pini Prato
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, G. Gaslini Children's University Institute, Genoa, Italy., University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. girolamomattioli@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
Background:
Either "open" and laparoscopic spleen surgery in pediatric age are well known and performed with ease in children. Yet, few data regarding follow-up and outcome are discussed in the international literature.
Materials And Methods:
Clinical notes of all patient who underwent spleen surgery in a single center between 2000 and 2007 were reviewed and a specific follow-up questionnaire was administered, aiming to evaluate pre- and postoperative data, especially considering underlying disease, cosmetic results, and quality of life after surgery.
Results:
Fifty-one patients underwent spleen surgery in our series, 33 of whom returned a complete follow-up questionnaire and were included in the study. Splenectomy was performed in 26 patients, whereas 7 patients underwent a partial splenectomy; 19 cases (57.6%) were approached laparoscopically. A total of 4 complications (12%) occurred in our series, none of them being intraoperative. Hospital stay resulted as significantly shorter in laparoscopic cases (5.5 +/- 2.9 vs. 8.7 +/- 4.8 days; P < 0.01), with better results in terms of cosmetics. Quality of life is strictly related to underlying disease, as well as long-term survival.
Conclusions:
Whatever surgical approach is adopted, spleen surgery is safe, effective, and reproducible. When feasible, the laparoscopic approach should be preferred to the traditional open approach, as far as efficacy and safety are similar, in order to reduce hospital stay, abdominal wall traumatism, and consequently, improve postoperative pain control and cosmetic results.
