title: Combined needlescopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic splenectomy for the treatment of thalassaemic splenomegaly and cholelithiasis.
abstract: Gallstone disease is a common association in patients with haematological splenomegaly. When indicated, simultaneous splenectomy and cholecystectomy should be performed and traditionally this is accomplished by open surgery. We report a 17 year old thalassaemic girl with splenomegaly complicated by gallstone pancreatitis. We treated her with a combination of needlescopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic splenectomy as well as delivering the huge spleen via a pfannenstiel incision to hide the scar. We believe this technique is an acceptable alternative mainly for rapid delivery of the spleen and to minimize visible scars hence improving cosmesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Jasmi
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Thambidorai
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khairussalleh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications*