Unplanned splenectomy during oesophagectomy does not affect survival.

Objective: There are limited and conflicting data available concerning the incidence of inadvertent splenectomy and its impact on the outcome in patients who have undergone oesophagectomy. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with a likelihood of inadvertent splenectomy and its influence on early and long-term outcome in patients having oesophagectomy for oesophageal carcinoma.

Methods: A consecutive series of 738 oesophagectomies performed between 1991 and 2004 was analysed.