Laparoscopic Elective Total Splenectomy: A Review

With rapid advances in technology and improvements in noninvasive imaging tests, laparoscopic splenectomy is now being advocated for massive splenomegaly. Laparoscopic splenectomy is now becoming the procedure of choice for elective splenectomy wherever the expertise is available. Initially, laparoscopic Splenectomy was performed only for benign hematological conditions, but now with the advancement of technology its use has been extended to massive splenomegaly, other benign conditions and infective pathologies of the spleen and also in cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension. Extensive searches have been made on internet websites. With the recent successes of laparoscopic splenectomy in selected cases, the future of splenic surgery will undoubtedly bring many more changes. Reasons for review are the paucity of literature, wide acceptance of the procedure as the method of choice for elective splenectomy, to assess the feasibility of the procedure and also to expand the use of laparoscopic splenectomy. Laparoscopic splenectomy lacks a long-term follow-up single institutional study with a large number of patients. Such studies need to be carried out in institutes where hematological specialized centers are available for a large number of referrals and postoperative care.