[Aneurysm of the splenic artery]

The authors describe in their paper possibilities of surgical and intervention treatment of an aneurysm of the lienal artery, their advantages and disadvantages. They evaluate the results of treatment of aneurysms of the lienal artery in three patients treated at the Second Surgical Clinic in Brno in 1993-1996. In the first patient the aneurysm was resected concurrently with splenectomy. In the second patient resection of the aneurysm with end to end anastomosis of the lienal artery was made. In the third patient the method of artificial embolization of the aneurysm of the lienal artery was used. The results are good. The first two patients were discharged ten and nine days resp. after surgery and are in a good clinical condition. The third patient had treatment in four sessions within two months and the final effect is a completely embolized aneurysm of the lienal artery with a preserved blood supply of the spleen and its intact function. The authors maintain that when dealing with an aneurysm of the lienal artery the surgeon has several possibilities and it is up to him which possibility he will chose with regard to anatomical conditions, the patients general condition and his own abilities and possibilities. The authors recommend if possible to preserve the spleen as a functioning organ or to preserve at least its immunological function.