Splenectomy

Abstract

Laparoscopic splenectomy has become an established standard of care in the management of surgical diseases of the spleen, except in the hemodynamically unstable trauma patient requiring splenectomy. Although adoption of minimally invasive splenectomy has led to a gradual decrease in the indications for open splenectomy, both procedures are still essential components of spleen surgery. This review describes the indications and contraindications for procedure, preoperative preparation and consent, operative anatomy and technique, and long-term follow-up. Tables review the clinical indications for splenectomy, classification of splenectomy, a comparison of laparoscopic versus open postsplenectomy outcomes, indications and contraindications for partial splenectomy, and reported incidences of postoperative outcomes and complications after splenectomy. Figures depict splenomegaly, the American Society of Hematology 2011 evidence-based practice guidelines for management of primary idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children and adults, a splenic mass, a splenic cyst, massive splenomegaly, laparoscopic splenectomy, the 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for adult and pediatric splenectomy vaccination, splenic artery embolization, various laparoscopic approaches to splenectomy, splenic vascularization, division of splenic artery branches, suspensory ligaments of the spleen, laparoscopic exposure and transection of splenic hilum, retrieval bags and related procedures, open splenectomy, stapling, and laparoscopic partial splenectomy. Videos demonstrate purely laparoscopic splenectomy and hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy. This review contains 26 figures, 5 tables, 2 videos,  and 111 references.