Laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic sequestration crisis.

Medical and surgical advances have improved the treatment of splenic sequestration crisis in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Rapid enlargement of the spleen can result from sickled blood cels being trapped in the spleen, which can be life threatening. The laparoscopic splenectomy procedure using the lateral approach has been adapted successfully for the pediatric patient since 1993. Children with SCD who have a history of a splenic sequestration crisis usually are scheduled for an elective splenectomy procedure after the first documented crisis to reduce the risk of death. Some key benefits of this new surgical approach include a shortened hospital stay, decreased postoperative pain, and faster recovery and return to normal activities for the child with SCD.