Bemelman W A, de Wit L T, Busch O R, Gouma D J
Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Surg Endosc. 2000 Nov;14(11):997-8. doi: 10.1007/s004640080121.
Laparoscopic splenectomy is performed routinely in patients with small and moderately enlarged spleens at specialized centers. Large spleens are difficult to handle laparoscopically and hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy might facilitate the procedure through enhanced vascular control, easier retraction and manipulation, manual guidance of endostaplers, and clip appliers. A technique of hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy is described.