Laparoscopic splenectomy in beta-thalassemia major patients. Advantages and disadvantages.

BACKGROUND

Splenectomy is indicated in patients with thalassemia major when they develop hypersplenism with subsequent need for increased transfusions. Extreme splenomegaly is considered a restrictive factor for laparoscopic splenectomy in these patients.

METHODS

Laparoscopic splenectomy was undertaken in 12 beta-thalassemia major patients with massive splenomegaly. The devascularization of the organ was performed with serial ligations of the splenic vessels starting from the lower pole of the organ. The spleen was extracted from the abdominal cavity through a 5-cm incision in the left iliac fossa, which incorporated two port sites.

RESULTS

The procedure was concluded laparoscopically in 10 cases, while two patients were converted due to difficulty in controlling bleeding from branches of the splenic vein. The patients tolerated the procedure well and had a postoperative hospital stay of 3-6 days.

CONCLUSIONS

From our limited initial experience it seems that laparoscopic splenectomy in the difficult setting of thalassemia major patients is feasible, but extreme care is required in order to avoid hemorrhagic complications.