title: Laparoscopic splenectomy for hematological diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We reviewed retrospectively the records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) at our institution for a wide range of hematological disorders. We compared our experience to those reported in the literature and analyzed various aspects of the treatment that are still under discussion and in need of confirmation, such as the treatment of malignant blood diseases, the indication in case of splenomegaly, and the adequacy of the detection of accessory spleens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 1997 and June 2001, we performed 43 LS. The patients were classified into three groups according to clinical diagnosis: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (n = 23), hemolytic anemia (HA) (n = 5), and hematological malignancy (HM) (n = 15). Statistical analyses were done to compare the three groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LS was completed in 41 patients, with a conversion rate of 5%. Splenomegaly was present in 37% of all patients (73% of HM). Mean operative time was 128 min. The incidence of accessory spleens was 20%. A concomitant laparoscopic procedure was done in three cases (cholecystectomy). Postoperative complications occurred in eight patients (18%). Duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, transfusions rate, and some demographics features, such as age and spleen weight and length, were significantly different in each group. No deaths were attributed to the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The statistical analysis of our series shows that, the laparoscopic approach reliable even in the management of malignant and nonmalignant blood diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery and Transplant Surgery, University of Genoa, San Martino Hospital, Largo R. Benzi 10, Genoa 16100, Italy. ptorelli@transplant.smartino.ge.it
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Torelli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cavaliere
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casaccia
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Panaro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grondona
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Truini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gobbi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bacigalupo
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Valente
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data