Laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic artery aneurysm.

Two cases undergoing a laparoscopic splenectomy for the treatment of a splenic artery aneurysm are herein reported. This lesion is relatively rare. Surgical treatment is indicated for such cases since approximately 10% of these aneurysms tend to rupture which thus results in fatal hemorrhaging. Both cases demonstrated aneurysms measuring more than 2 cm in diameter based on the ultrasonography, computed tomography and celiac angiography findings and, as a result, a laparoscopic splenectomy was thus prophylactically performed. This procedure is the preferred technique for high risk patients, such as those with chronic renal failure, as observed in case 1, since patients can be spared the disadvantages of undergoing a laparotomy.