Laparoscopic splenectomy.

A technique for laparoscopic splenectomy is described. The patient is placed in the right semidecubitus position and pneumoperitoneum is prepared. The splenic artery and vein are exposed near the hilum, using a laparoscopic ultrasonic dissector. The larger vessels are doubly ligated, and the spleen is resected and maneuvered into a nylon surgical sack; the sack is removed through a 2-cm incision along the midaxillary line. This procedure has been used for four patients requiring splenectomy for benign disease, and the outcome has been entirely satisfactory for all concerned.