title: Control of splenic bleeding during splenic flexure mobilisation by devascularisation of the inferior pole of the spleen.
abstract: Injury to the spleen is a recognised complication of colorectal resections involving mobilisation of the splenic flexure. Bleeding from the spleen is difficult to control and not infrequently requires splenectomy with its attendant lifelong potential haematological and immunological complications. Furthermore, conversion from a laparoscopic to an open procedure may be required as splenic haemorrhage is more difficult to control laparoscopically. We describe a technique for control of bleeding from the inferior pole of the spleen, used during laparoscopic splenectomy, which may be applied to either open or laparoscopic surgery to achieve haemostasis thereby obviating splenectomy and in laparoscopic cases, conversion to open.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. larkin.dundalk@gmail.com
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Larkin
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mehigan
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D044684:Colon, Transverse / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D061887:Conversion to Open Surgery; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013154:Spleen / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome