Concomitant laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of concomitant laparoscopic treatment for coexisting spleen and gallbladder diseases.

METHODS

Between March 1997 and August 2009, 9 patients underwent concomitant laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy. Indications for laparoscopic splenectomy included hereditary spherocytosis (4 patients), splenic artery aneurysm (2), hypersplenism (2), and Evans syndrome (1).

RESULTS

The median operating time and the blood loss were 165 minutes (range: 70 to 300 min) and 36 mL (range: 10 to 274 mL). The median resected splenic weight was 256 g (range: 137 to 820 g). No patient required conversion to an open procedure. Portal system thrombosis occurred in 2 patients. The median length of hospital stay was 9 days (range: 3 to 15 d).

CONCLUSION

With increasing institutional experience, concomitant laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible procedure and may be considered for coexisting spleen and gallbladder diseases.