EN
Laparoscopic splenectomy evolved into one of the principal operations of the spleen. High short- and long-term morbidity associated with asplenia has prompted surgeons to implement spleen preserving procedures.The aim of the study was to evaluate laparoscopic spleen preserving procedures with regard to their feasibility and treatment results.Material and methods. Prospective evaluation of treatment results in patients submitted to laparoscopic operations of the spleen in 2nd Department of General Surgery CM UJ in Cracow.From August 1998 until May 2009 we performed 278 laparoscopic operations of the spleen. The group consisted of 164 females and 114 males, of which 256 (92.09%) patients were operated on electively and 22 (7.91%) in emergency settings. 235 patients (84.53%) were assigned to total splenectomy (most for ITP - 142 patients). In 43 patients (15.47%) the laparoscopic spleen preserving procedure was attempted. The indications included rupture of the spleen, cysts, tumors and abscess.Results. Laparoscopic spleen preserving procedure was successfully performed in 23 out of 43 patients (53.49%). There were 9 excisions of the splenic cysts, 8 hemostases from ruptured spleen, 5 resections of the tumors and one drainage of the abscess. Postoperative complications were observed in 16 (7.66%) patients after total splenectomy, including 8 (3.4%) infectious. 3 patients (6.98%) after spleen preserving procedure were re-operated due to bleeding. There were no infectious complications in this group.Conclusions. There is a limited number of indications for laparoscopic procedures preserving splenic parenchyma. Despite high failure rate attempts to perform laparoscopic spleen sparing operation are usually beneficial due to low risk of complications, particularly infections.