[Successful management using laparoscopic splenectomy for splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia caused by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced rectal cancer].

We report a case of advanced rectal cancer treated with chemotherapy, for which laparoscopic splenectomy had been effective for thrombocytopenia. A 56-year-old man suffered from advanced rectal cancer with multiple lung metastases. He underwent Hartmann's procedure and received chemotherapy with FOLFOX and FOLFIRI with bevacizumab. After 3 years and 2 months, he also suffered from splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. Laparoscopic splenectomy produced and increased the thrombocyte count, allowing for a restart of chemotherapy. Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy might produce hepatic sinusoid injury and induce splenomegaly owing to portal hypertension. Laparoscopic splenectomy seemed to be useful for treating thrombocytopenia, and allowed the continuation of chemotherapy.