OBJECTIVETo summarize the experience and characteristics of the modified laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly in the treatment of children with hematologic disease.

METHODSThe clinical data of 30 cases of laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly of children with hematologic disease from March 2007 to December 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 18 male and 12 female patients, aging from 2 to 14 years. Primary disease included mediterranean anemia (17 cases), hereditary spherocytosis (4 cases) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP, 9 cases). Dissection started with cutting off the gastrosplenic ligaments and lesser sac to fully reveal the splenic hilum, the splenic artery was clamped twice with 10 mm tiatanum clamp. When most of blood stored in the spleen back to heart through the veins and the splenic volume had already decreased, the splenic vein was ligated with 10 mm titanium clip and cut with ligsure and splenic pedicle separated. The Surgery and complication were recorded. For 1 week after surgery, the hemoglobin and platelet counts were reviewed.

RESULTSTwenty-six cases were performed successfully, and 4 cases were converted to open procedure. Of the 4 cases, 2 cases was obesity because of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, 1 case was β thalassaemia combined severe liver enlargement, and 1 case was after partial splenic embolization. In cases of laparoscopic splenectomy, operation time was 110 to 130 minutes, with an average of 120 minutes, and blood loss during operation was 35 to 180 ml, with an average of 45 ml. Compared with pre-operation, the hemoglobin of mediterranean anemia and hereditary spherocytosis patients were (92 ± 8) g/L, and blood platelet count of ITP patients was (127 ± 20)×10(9)/L, and they increased obviously at 1 week after operation (t = 4.175 and 8.253, both P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe modified surgical method make the laparoscopic splenectomy for massive splenomegaly in many children with hematologic diseases possible, which was thought to be impossible in the past.