title: Transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization using conventional instruments: initial experience of 5 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) has been proposed for several intra-abdominal surgical interventions. However, application of the LESS technique in portal hypertension is still in its infancy. We report in this article a new technique of LESS splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization with conventional laparoscopic instruments in patients with portal hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2010 to April 2012, LESS splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization was performed on 5 patients with portal hypertension. Surgical techniques and short-term outcomes were summarized and analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the operations were successful with a mean operative duration of 252 minutes (range, 220-270 minutes), intraoperative blood loss of 290 mL (range, 250-350 mL), and hospital stay of 8.2 days (range, 7-9 days). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded. The umbilical incision healed well with a satisfactory cosmetic effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LESS splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization is feasible when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons and may offer safety comparable to that of the conventional laparoscopic operation.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Second General Surgery, Sheng Jing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shuo-Dong
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002299:Cardia / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014472:Umbilicus