Laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly: technical aspects of initial ligation of splenic artery and extraction without hand-assisted technique.

A 37-year-old man was referred for massive splenomegaly. In November 2005, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma in the setting of splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. His laboratory results showed a coagulopathy owing to lupus anticoagulant. A computed tomography scan showed a 36 x 26 x 11 cm spleen and a prominent and sinuous splenic artery. The authors performed a laparoscopic splenectomy with an initial ligation of the splenic artery. The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home on the fourth postoperative day in stable condition. Discussed in this paper is the safety and feasibility of the minimally invasive approach in massive splenomegaly.