Laparoscopic splenectomy.

Laparoscopic splenectomy was carried out for the treatment of patients with splenic disorders; 20 idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, 1 hamartoma and 3 hereditary spherocytosis. With the patients in the right lateral position, four trocars were used. Under CO2 pneumoperitoneum with a pressure of 10 mmHg, the surrounding ligaments were divided with electrocautery. At the splenic hilum, the splenic artery and vein were exposed using ultrasonic dissector. After double ligation of these vessels, the spleen was dissected with an autostapler. The resected spleen contained in a nylon bag was fragmented with finger-fracture method and extracted through a port site extended up 2 or 3 cm in length. All the patients tolerated the procedure and no blood transfusion was required. Laparoscopic splenectomy is the preferred choice to resect the spleen because of the short hospital stay, less pain and good cosmesis.