Laparoscopic splenectomy: the latest technical evaluation.

AIM: To introduce our latest innovation on technical manipulation of laparoscopic splenectomy. METHODS: Under general anesthesia and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum, 86 cases of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) were performed. The patients were placed in three different operative positions: 7 cases in the lithotomic position, 31 cases in the right recumbent position and 48 cases in the right lateral position. An ultrasonic scissors was used to dissect the pancreaticosplenic ligament, the splenocolicum ligament, lienorenal ligament and the lienophrenic ligament, respectively. Lastly, the gastrosplenic ligament and short gastric vessels were dissected. The splenic artery and vein were resected at splenic hilum with Endo-GIA. The impact of different operative positions, spleen size and other events during the operation were studied. RESULTS: The laparoscopic splenectomy was successfully performed on all 86 patients from August 1997 to August 2002. No operative complications, such as peritoneal cavity infection, massive bleeding after operation and adjacent organs injured were observed. There was no death related to the operation. The study showed that different operative positions could significantly influence the manipulation of LS. The right lateral position had more advantages than the lithotomic position and the right recumbent position in LS. CONCLUSION: Most cases of LS could be accomplished successfully when patients are placed in the right lateral position. The right lateral position has more advantages than the conventional supine approach by providing a more direct view of the splenic hilum as well as other important anatomies. Regardless of operation positions, the major axis of spleen exceeding 15 cm by B-ultrasound in vitro will surely increase the difficulties of LS and therefore prolong the duration of operation. LS is a safe and feasible modality for splenectomy.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura at a teaching institution.

BACKGROUND: High anatomic location, fragility, and generous blood supply of the spleen makes laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) difficult to master, and few patients need splenectomy for benign disorders. The aim of this research was to assess operative outcomes and hematological results of a large series of patients treated with LS for chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and to determine which clinical variables predict favorable hematological outcome. METHODS: LS was successfully performed for 154 patients with chronic ITP from September 1999 to April 2009 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Operative outcomes were assessed retrospectively. Long-term follow-up data were obtained from outpatient medical records and phone interviews. Clinical and laboratory variables (including gender, age, disease duration before surgery, previous response to steroids, preoperative platelet count, and postoperative peak platelet count) were evaluated by univariate analysis to identify potential predictors of hematological outcome. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of hematological outcome. RESULTS: One patient died from subphrenic abscess and postoperative sepsis. The overall major morbidity rate was 8.4%. None of the patients required a second surgery for complications. Of the 127 patients available for a mean follow-up of 43.6 months (range 9 - 114 months), the overall initial response (i.e., at two months after LS) and long-term response to LS were achieved in 89.0% and 80.3%, respectively. Five patients (3.9%) developed pneumonia 3 - 35 months after LS. Univariate analysis showed a significant difference in mean age between responders (29.1 years) and nonresponders (38.8 years; P < 0.05). Patients who responded to steroid therapy had better hematological outcome than those who did not respond (P < 0.05). Compared to nonresponders, responders to LS had a significantly higher postoperative peak platelet count (404 × 10(9)/L versus 213 × 10(9)/L, P < 0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified postoperative peak platelet count as the only independent predictor of favorable response to LS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LS is a safe and effective treatment for chronic ITP. Postoperative peak platelet count may serve as a major predictor of long-term response.

[Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery in treatment of varicose of lower limb].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) in treatment of varicose of the lower limb. METHODS: From 1999. 11 to 2000. 12, 108 patients with varicose of the lower limb underwent venous surgery and 34 of them were treated by SEPS. There were 16 males and 18 females aged 20-79(averaged 51.4 years). Thirty limbs (26 cases) had open ulcers and the diameter of ulcer was 1.5-12.0 cm. Eleven limbs (8 cases) had severe pigmentation and the skin changes had been presented for 1 month to 15 years. According to the severity of illness, flush saphenofemoral ligation, great saphenous vein stripping, percutaneous continuous venous circum suture, external femoral vein valve repair and SEPS were performed separately or simultaneously. RESULTS: Active ulcers healed in 19 limbs after 1 month, in 7 limbs after 3 months, and in the other 4 ulcers after skin transplantation. There was no ulcer recurrence during follow-up (ranged 9-22 months). CONCLUSION: SEPS can accelerate the healing of venous ulcers, and it is one of important methods in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.