Morbidity of hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy compared to conventional laparoscopic splenectomy: a 6-year review.

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has several advantages over the open procedure but can be technically demanding when performed in patients with massive splenomegaly. We hypothesized that patients who undergo hand-assisted LS (HALS) may experience the benefits of LS while having their enlarged spleens removed safely.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients who underwent HALS or LS between January 2003 and June 2008.

Laparoscopic accessory splenectomy: the value of perioperative localization studies.

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy is an effective treatment for many patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who fail or relapse after treatment with steroids. Patients with an incomplete response to splenectomy and those who experience recurrence of symptoms should be evaluated for the presence of an accessory spleen. The clinical effectiveness of laparoscopic excision of an accessory spleen after a previous splenectomy for ITP has varied in different studies.