[Laparoscopic splenectomy--personal experience].

The authors present an account on their own experience with laparoscopic splenectomy which is used at the First Surgical Clinic, First Medical Faculty and General Faculty Hospital in Prague since 1996. In 1996 to 2002 the authors performed at the Surgical Clinic a total of 66 splenectomies. This number included on account of injury of the spleen, tumour or cyst 12 splenectomies by the open route. The remaining ones were indicated for haematological reasons in collaboration with the haematological department of the First Medical Clinic of the First Medical Faculty and General Faculty Hospital in Prague and the Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion in Prague. 23 splenectomies for haematological reasons were made by the classical open route. In 31 patients the splenectomy was performed by the laparoscopic route. In all haematological reasons were involved. In the group operated at the First Surgical Clinic LSE was indicated because of ITP 15x, for spherocytosis 8x, for haemolytic anaemia 7x, for eliptocytosis 1x. In eight patients at the same time laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. In the group subjected to classical splenectomy infection in the surgical wound was recorded in 11%, re-operations on account of a suppurative complications in the abdominal cavity were made in 13% and on account of haemorrhage in 11%. In the group of laparoscopic splenectomies the authors did not record infection at the site of the inserted trocars, there were no suppurative complications in the abdominal cavity. In four laparoscopic operations the authors converted the operation on account of haemorrhage four times (11%), once on account of major adiposity of the omentum, in five postoperative revision on account of haemorrhage was necessary (16%), incl. one case of profuse haemorrhage. Therefore the authors sought a way how to prevent haemorrhage. Based on their own experience they recommend to apply clamps to the trunk of the lienal artery. The time of operation was reduced by the application of clamps to the lienal artery to 60-80 mins. and the peroperative blood losses dropped to 20-30 ml. The morbidity declined and the patients are discharged into domiciliary care on the 4th day after operation, to be on the safe side. No late complications of the operation were recorded.