title: Laparoscopic splenectomy.
abstract: Splenectomy is easily amenable to laparoscopic technique. Compared with the open technique, its advantages include improved exposure, decreased pain, improved pulmonary function, shortened hospitalization, rapid return to unrestricted activities, and improved cosmetic appearance. These advantages are at the expense of prolonged operative time that, with experience and improved instruments, should diminish.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee, Memphis.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Lobe
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Presbury
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wilimas
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013103:Spherocytosis, Hereditary / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*