title: Partial spleen resection with a radiofrequency needle device--a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Total splenectomy leads to an immunocompromised state, with an increased lifetime risk of infection. The lifetime risk of developing overwhelming postsplenectomy infection is 5 %, with a mortality rate of approximately 50 %. In addition to vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis, partial splenectomy is believed to improve patient safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed partial splenectomy in seven patients using a radiofrequency (RF) technique with Habib® needles. In seven patients, an open access partial splenectomy was performed. In three patients, a partial splenectomy was performed simultaneously with intraabdominal tumour resection. In two patients, the upper pole of the spleen was removed due to tumours of the spleen. In one patient, a large symptomatic splenic cyst was resected and in another patient, a partial splenectomy was performed due to trauma. RF was applied using Habib® needles (AngioDynamics, Manchester, GA, 31816, USA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The partial splenectomy procedures were easy and safe in all seven patients. The RF application with the Habib® needles led to primary haemostasis. The blood loss was less than 50 ml in all cases. After a minimum follow-up of 1 year, there were no cases of infections or other adverse events related to the previous partial splenectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our experience, partial splenectomy with Habib® needles is easy to perform and safe for the patient. Thus, radiofrequency resection is a good alternative to total splenectomy in many patients and reduces the risk of postsplenectomy infections.
authors: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Johann-Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. juliane.liese@kgu.de
authors: Juliane
authors: J
authors: Liese
authors: Sven
authors: S
authors: Kohler
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Moench
authors: Wolf Otto
authors: WO
authors: Bechstein
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Ulrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D061214:Patient Safety; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
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