title: [Laparoscopic splenectomy: Twelve-year experience in two private institutions].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 1991, Delaitre et al. reported the first successful laparoscopic splenectomy. This procedure has become the best option in patients with hematological diseases and who require surgical treatment. The potential advantages of the laparoscopic approach over the conventional surgery are shorter length of hospital stay, shorter time to resume normal diet and decreased rates of morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 1993 to December 2004, 42 patients underwent laparoscopic splenectomy in our two surgical care centers: Texas Endosurgery Institute and Hospital San José-TEC de Monterrey. The measured variables to evaluate efficacy and safety were operating time, length of hospital stay, time to resume normal diet, conversion to open procedure, morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hematological diseases were the most common diagnosis. The procedure was technically successful in 95% of the patients. There were two conversions to open surgery. The mean operating time was 120 min. Mortality rate was 2.3%. The mean length of hospital stay and time to resume normal diet were 4 and 2 days, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We regard that our series contributes to supporting laparoscopic splenectomy as a safe and effective method, retaining some advantages of minimally invasive techniques.
authors.affiliation: Texas Endosurgery Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Morris
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: César Antonio
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gálvez-Hernández
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treviño
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Villegas-Cabello
authors.forename: Román
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González-Ruvalcaba
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Díaz-Elizondo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003560:Cysts / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology