TRICKS AND TIPS FOR LAPAROSCOPIC SPLENECTOMY FOR BIG SPLEEN

LAPAROSCOPIC SPLENECTOMY (LS) IS NOW CONSIDERED FEASIBLE ALSO IN CASE OF SPLENOMEGALY. HOWEVER IT IS A CHALLENGING PROCEDURE WITH A DEFINITE RISK OF BLEEDING. IT REQUIRES SPECIAL LAPAROSCOPIC SKILL AND THE AVAILABILITY OF DEDICATED LAPAROSCOPIC DEVICES. THE POSITION OF THE PATIENT AND OF THE SURGICAL TABLE SHOULD BE ADAPTED TO THE STEPS OF SURGERY. THE USE OF HAND-ASSISTED TECHNIQUE MIGHT BE A GREAT HELP IN ORDER TO BETTER HANDLE THE SPLEEN AND TO REDUCE THE RISK OF BLEEDING. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW LAPAROSCOPIC DEVICES ANDREFINEMENT OF SURGICAL TECHNIQUE WILL IMPROVE THE RESULTS OF LS FOR SPLENOMEGALY.