Massive splenomegaly is associated with significant morbidity after laparoscopic splenectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of spleen weight on operative and clinical outcome in a series of 108 consecutive laparoscopic splenectomies.

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy as an alternative to open splenectomy for splenomegaly is regarded as controversial.

Methods: Patients underwent laparoscopic splenectomy for a range of hematological disorders between November 1992 and February 2000.