Ying Fan, Shuodong Wu, Yang Su, Jing Kong and Yu Tian
Aim: To discuss the feasibility and therapeutic effect of Laparoscopic Splenectomy (LS) in the treatment of Hereditary Spherocytosis (HS).
Methods: A total of 6 patients who underwent LS for HS from August 2003 to June 2009 at our institution were recruited: 3 male and 3 female with a median age of 16.2 (range 14–24) years. The clinical data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.
Results: All the 6 operations were successful without conversion to open surgery. The average operation time was 150 minutes, the average blood loss was 46 ml, the average fasting duration was 2.25 days and the average hospital stay was 6.5 days. The jaundice began to fade 3 days after operation averagely. The symptoms of anemia were improved and the mean level of hemoglobin increased from preoperative 83.6 (range 55-105) g/L to postoperative 124.2 (range 110-140) g/L. All the patients were free of postoperative complications.
Conclusions: LS in the treatment of HS is safe and feasible with the advantage of earlier recovery and less complication compared with open splenectomy.