Laparoscopic Partial Splenectomy: A Safe and Feasible Treatment for Splenic Benign Lesions

The purpose of this study was to explore the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic partial splenectomy in treating splenic benign lesions (SBL).

A total of 16 SBL patients clearly diagnosed before surgery (8 cases of splenic cysts, 5 cases of splenic lymphangioma, and 3 cases of splenic hemangioma) underwent 2D or 3D laparoscopic partial splenectomy from October 2013 to August 2016. The diameters of the SBL were 5 to 17 cm with an average of 8.7 cm; 12 cases were located in the upper pole of the spleen, and 4 cases were located in the lower pole of the spleen.

All 16 patients successfully completed laparoscopic partial splenectomy, and no patients required conversion to an open operation. There were 3 cases of resection using the 3D laparoscope. There were 14 cases of resection of half of the spleen and 2 cases of partial resection of the lower spleen. The operation time was 110 to 195 minutes with an average time of 157 minutes. The amount of intraoperative blood loss was 80 to 200 mL, and no patients required blood transfusion. The postoperative abdominal drainage time was 3 to 5 days, and no abdominal bleeding, pancreatic leakage, subphrenic infection, or other complications occurred; the postoperative hospital stay lasted 5 to 6 days.

Laparoscopic partial splenectomy is safe and feasible for the treatment of splenic benign lesions.