Laparoscopically assisted splenectomy following preoperative splenic artery embolization using contour emboli for myelofibrosis with massive splenomegaly

Laparoscopically assisted splenectomy with an 8- to 10-cm left upper paramedian laparotomy was performed following preoperative splenic artery embolization using painless contour emboli (super absorbent polymer microsphere) with early successful results in two men (46 and 37 years old) with myelofibrosis accompanied by massive splenomegaly. Dissection around the lower part of the spleen and the hilum initially was performed intracorporeally with the usual laparoscopic view under 12 mm Hg pneumoperitoneum. The alternating changes of viewpoints between the direct view through an 8- to 10-cm incision and the usual laparoscopic view with or without application of a retraction method were effective for safe hilar devascularization. Preoperative splenic artery embolization at the distal site was effective for safe dissection around the enlarged spleen. The patients did not complain of pain before operation. Preoperative painless embolization and laparoscopically assisted splenectomy with small laparotomy promotes the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive splenectomy for myelofibrosis with massive splenomegaly.     

Splenic artery embolization before laparoscopic splenectomy in children

Background This study assessed the safety and utility of preoperative splenic artery embolization before laparoscopic splenectomy in children. Methods Five young girls with a mean age of 13.2 years underwent laparoscopic splenectomies at the authors’ institution from August 1998 to April 2003. Three of the patients had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and two had hereditary spherocytosis. Preoperative splenic artery embolization was performed the day before the surgery in all cases. The laparoscopic splenectomy was performed using traditional laparoscopic procedures and standard laparoscopic instruments with the patient in the right semilateral position. Results The mean spleen weight was 252.6 g, and the mean length was 11.6 cm. All the patients reported postembolic pain, but not to a level unmanageable by intravascular narcotics. There were no severe complications in the splenic artery embolization. The laparoscopic splenectomies were completed in a mean of 211 min, with a mean estimated blood loss of 9 ml. None of the operations required conversion to traditional open laparotomy, and none of the patients died or experienced operative complications. Conclusion The authors concluded that splenic artery embolization is safe and useful as an adjuvant procedure performed before elective laparoscopic splenectomy in children.     

Comparative treatment and literature review for laparoscopic splenectomy alone versus preoperative splenic artery embolization splenectomy

Background

Although laparoscopic splenectomy has been gradually regarded as an acceptable therapeutic approach for patients with massive splenomegaly, intraoperative blood loss remains an important complication. In an effort to evaluate the most effective and safe treatment of splenomegaly, we compared three methods of surgery for treating splenomegaly, including open splenectomy, laparoscopic splenectomy, and a combination of preoperative splenic artery embolization plus laparoscopic splenectomy.

Methods

From January 2006 to August 2011, 79 patients underwent splenectomy in our hospital. Of them, 20 patients underwent a combined treatment of preoperative splenic artery embolization and laparoscopic splenectomy (group 1), 30 patients had laparoscopic splenectomy alone (group 2), and 29 patients underwent open splenectomy (group 3). Patients’ demographics, perioperative data, clinical outcome, and hematological changes were analyzed.

Results

Preoperative splenic artery embolization plus laparoscopic splenectomy was successfully performed in all patients in group 1. One patient in group 2 required an intraoperative conversion to traditional open splenectomy because of severe blood loss. Compared with group 2, significantly shorter operating time, less intraoperative blood loss, and shorter postoperative hospital stay were noted in group 1. No marked significant differences in postoperative complications of either group were observed. Compared with group 3, group 1 had less intraoperative blood loss, shorter postoperative stay, and fewer complications. No significant differences were found in operating time. There was a marked increase in platelet count and white blood count in both groups during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

Preoperative splenic artery embolization with laparoscopic splenectomy reduced the operating time and decreased intraoperative blood loss when compared with laparoscopic splenectomy alone or open splenectomy. Splenic artery embolization is a useful intraoperative adjunctive procedure for patients with splenomegaly because of the benefit of perioperative outcomes.     

Splenic artery embolization before laparoscopic splenectomy

Background: This study assessed preoperative splenic artery embolization before laparoscopic splenectomy. Methods: Preoperative splenic artery embolization was used in 26 of 54 patients (48%) undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy. Between 1992 and 1994, this procedure was used in all patients with spleens shorter than 20 cm (group I), except the first two (18/20). An anterior surgical approach was used. After 1994 (group II), embolization was not used for these patients (0/26), and a lateral surgical approach was used. Throughout the study period, all patients with spleens longer than 20 cm had embolization (8/8). Results: Five complications occurred, three related to the use of small-particle embolic material (microspheres, gelatin foam powder). In group I, the conversion rate was lower than that of most current series, largely because of embolization. In group II, similar results were obtained because of experience and a better surgical approach (i.e., lateral). Conclusions: Preoperative splenic artery embolization is not necessary for spleens shorter than 20 cm. Increased experience and mostly the lateral surgical approach have permitted a shorter operation and a low conversion rate (4%) similar to the rate achieved with embolization and the anterior approach in the initial stages of the study. Embolization is used for 20- to 30-cm spleens. The conversion rate is higher (17%), and blood replacement is required frequently (83%). Despite embolization, laparoscopic splenectomy for spleens longer than 30 cm is futile at this time (100% conversion).     

Outcome of laparoscopic splenectomy with preoperative splenic artery embolization for massive splenomegaly

Background  

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has become a safe and feasible procedure for cases involving spleens of normal size. Only a few publications report on the outcome of LS with preoperative splenic artery embolization (SAE) for massive splenomegaly. The authors present their experience in patients with massive splenomegaly who underwent laparoscopic-assisted splenectomy (LAS) or hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy (HALS) following SAE.     

腹腔镜治疗特发性血小板减少性紫癜中转开腹原因分析

目的:探讨腹腔镜脾切除术(laparoscopic splenectomy,LS)治疗特发性血小板减少性紫癜(idiopathic thrombocyto-penic purpura,ITP)的中转开腹原因。方法:回顾分析我院15例ITP患者行LS的临床资料,并结合5篇文献进行分析。结果:153例均行LS,11例中转开腹,6例为术中血管损伤,3例为创面出血,2例系脾动脉栓塞术后腹腔粘连。结论:术中血管损伤、创面出血为中转开腹手术的主要原因,脾动脉栓塞术后腹腔粘连者行LS亦不易成功。     

Left-sided portal hypertension: Successful management by laparoscopic splenectomy following splenic artery embolization

INTRODUCTION

Left-sided portal hypertension is a rare clinical condition most often associated with a pancreatic disease. In case of hemorrhage from gastric fundus varices, splenectomy is indicated. Commonly, the operation is carried out by laparotomy, as portal hypertension is considered a relative contraindication to laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). Although some studies have reported the feasibility of the laparoscopic approach in the setting of cirrhosis-related portal hypertension, experience concerning LS in left-sided portal hypertension is lacking.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 39-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department for haemorrhagic shock due to acute hemorrhage from gastric fundus varices. Diagnostic work up revealed a chronic pancreatitis-related splenic vein thrombosis causing left-sided portal hypertension with gastric fundus varices and splenic cavernoma. Following splenic artery embolization (SAE), the case was successfully managed by LS.

DISCUSSION

The advantages of laparoscopic over open splenectomy include lower complication rate, quicker recovery and shorter hospital stay. Splenic artery embolization prior to LS has been used to reduce intraoperative blood losses and conversion rate, especially in complex cases of splenomegaly or cirrhosis-related portal hypertension. We report a case of complicated left-sided portal hypertension managed by LS following SAE. In spite of the presence of large varices at the splenic hilum, the operation was performed by laparoscopy without any major intraoperative complication, thanks to the reduced venous pressure achieved by SAE.

CONCLUSION

Splenic artery embolization may be a valuable adjunct in case of left-sided portal hypertension requiring splenectomy, allowing a safe dissection of the splenic vessels even by laparoscopy.     

Splenic artery embolization and endovascular stapler integrity in a porcine model

Splenic artery embolization is often used before laparoscopic splenectomy in cases of splenomegaly to reduce blood loss and facilitate the procedure. The aim of this study was to examine the general reliability of endovascular staplers when fired at the site of embolization coil deployment using a porcine model. Ex vivo and in vivo experiments were conducted on porcine abdominal aortas, which are similar in diameter to those of the splenic artery in the human. When the endovascular staplers were fired across the porcine vessels at the area of embolization coil deployment ex vivo, the staple lines all failed. In contrast, in vivo, the staple lines remained intact with no bleeding despite resistance imposed by the intravascular coils. Despite consistent failure in the ex vivo studies, in vivo all staple lines held and permitted safe transection of the vessel. We presume that the hemostatic properties of the coils caused sufficient thrombosis in this model, which mimics the clinical situation, to permit division of the previously embolized splenic vessel.     

Intraoperative acute tumor lysis syndrome during laparoscopic splenectomy preceded by splenic artery embolization

Laparoscopic resection has become the standard of care for routine splenectomy. Preoperative splenic artery embolization for massive splenomegaly has been described to allow a laparoscopic approach in previously ineligible laparoscopic candidates. Our case describes an intraoperative cardiac arrest secondary to tumor lysis after preoperative splenic artery embolization. The patient recovered fully after suffering acute renal failure requiring dialysis for 6 weeks postoperatively. Caution using this approach is necessary to avoid this rare and potentially lethal complication.     

腹腔镜脾脏切除术中出血的防治体会

目的：探讨腹腔镜脾脏切除术中出血的防治措施。方法：回顾分析哈尔滨医科大学附属第四医院2007年1月—2010年1月开展的63例腹腔镜脾脏切除（LS）患者的临床资料,其中门静脉高压症、脾功能亢进44例,特发性血小板减少性紫癜（ITP）6例,外伤性脾破裂6例,脾恶性淋巴瘤3例,脾血管瘤3例,脾囊肿1例。结果：全部病例均在腹腔镜下完成手术。53例行脾动脉预处理,48例行二级脾蒂法脾切除。手术时间120～200min,平均150min,术中出血150～800mL,平均250mL。结论：脾动脉预处理,二级脾蒂法脾切除是降低术中出血的关键。     

预防腹腔镜脾切除术出血的外科技术要点

目的:探讨预防腹腔镜下脾切除术术中出血的技术。方法:完全腹腔镜手术治疗肝硬化脾肿大6例,特发性血小板减少性紫癜(idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura,ITP)5例,脾恶性淋巴瘤3例,脾血管瘤2例,外伤性脾破裂1例。手术步骤包括解剖结扎脾动脉,切断脾周韧带,解剖结扎脾门血管并离断。结果:全部病例均用腹腔镜完成手术。患者均行脾门血管逐条解剖后结扎离断。手术时间50～240min,平均(110±35)min。出血20～1500ml,平均(160±87)ml。结论:完全腹腔镜脾切除术可行,术中早期脾动脉结扎、脾门血管逐条解剖结扎后离断是控制术中出血的关键,紧贴脾实质处理脾蒂可防止胰腺损伤。     

Laparoscopic splenectomy in β-thalassemia major patients

Background: Splenectomy is indicated in patients with thalassemia major when they develop hypersplenism with subsequent need for increased transfusions. Extreme splenomegaly is considered a restrictive factor for laparoscopic splenectomy in these patients. Methods: Laparoscopic splenectomy was undertaken in 12 β-thalassemia major patients with massive splenomegaly. The devascularization of the organ was performed with serial ligations of the splenic vessels starting from the lower pole of the organ. The spleen was extracted from the abdominal cavity through a 5-cm incision in the left iliac fossa, which incorporated two port sites. Results: The procedure was concluded laparoscopically in 10 cases, while two patients were converted due to difficulty in controlling bleeding from branches of the splenic vein. The patients tolerated the procedure well and had a postoperative hospital stay of 3–6 days. Conclusions: From our limited initial experience it seems that laparoscopic splenectomy in the difficult setting of thalassemia major patients is feasible, but extreme care is required in order to avoid hemorrhagic complications. Received: 21 March 1997/Accepted: 10 August 1997     

腹腔镜下巨脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术15例

目的探讨腹腔镜巨脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术的可行性、安全性及有效性。方法 2010年1月～2012年1月行15例腹腔镜下巨脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术,取右侧斜卧位,超声刀自下向上离断脾结肠、脾胃、脾肾及脾膈韧带,游离脾动脉并结扎,线型切割缝合器（Endo-GIA）离断脾蒂,切除脾脏;切割缝合器切断胃左动静脉,继续游离胃周血管直至食道下端6～8 cm,完成断流。结果 12例腹腔镜下完成巨脾切除,3例因难以控制出血中转开腹。手术时间236～318 min,平均267.2 min;术中出血量200～1000ml,平均400 ml;术后住院时间5～12 d,平均7.8 d。1例出现胰漏,带管引流1个月后漏口愈合,无围手术期死亡。15例术后随访6个月,脾功能亢进纠正,钡餐示5例轻度食管胃底静脉曲张,余10例正常,未再出现呕血、黑便等症状。结论严格把握手术适应证,腹腔镜巨脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术安全可行。     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy

A successful case of a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy with low-pressure pneumoperitoneum for autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient at 23 weeks' gestation is reported. Preoperative splenic arterial embolization was performed on the same day as the operation using painless contour embolic material and super-absorbent polymer microspheres. The abdominal wall retraction method first was applied to avoid the effects of pneumoperitoneum on systemic hemodynamic alterations. However, a sufficient surgical view could not be obtained, as the intra-abdominal organs were elevated because of the enlarged uterus. A surgical view with 4 to 6-mm Hg pneumoperitoneum was available for the hand-assisted splenectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient vaginally delivered a healthy infant. A hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy with low-pressure pneumoperitoneum after splenic arterial embolization would be feasible for patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura during a relatively advanced pregnancy.     

La asistencia manual es una alternativa a la conversión a laparotomía durante la sigmoidectomía laparoscópica

Introduction

Laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of diverticular disease offers multiple benefits compared with its open surgery counterpart. There are two distinct techniques, the laparoscopically assisted and the laparoscopic hand assisted approach. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the hand assisted approach can be used if, during a laparoscopically assisted approach, there is difficulty in dissection and/or exposure, and before performing a laparotomy.

Material and methods

This study is a retrospective cohort series that was performed in a private tertiary hospital in Mexico City. Patients with the diagnosis of diverticular disease who underwent a laparoscopically assisted sigmoidectomy were selected. These included patients who, during their procedure required conversion to a hand assisted approach.

Results

A total of 47 sigmoid colectomies began with assisted laparoscopy, of which 33 were completed, 4 required laparotomy, and 10 where completed using hand assistance (none required laparotomy). There were no statistically significant differences in return of bowel function (P=0.879) and postoperative hospital stay (P=0.679) between the group that was completed by assisted laparoscopy vs. hand assisted.

Conclusions

If there is difficulty in exposure or dissection during a laparoscopically assisted sigmoid colectomy, the hand assisted approach is an alternative before the laparotomy.     

LAPAROSCOPIC SPLENECTOMY

The innovations in laparoscopic technology have expanded the variety of general surgical procedures amenable to laparoscopic approach. An initial experience with eight cases of laparoscopic splenectomy is presented. The indications for splenectomy were immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP, n= 6). hereditary spherocytosis (n = 1) and enlarged spleen with filling defects (n = 1). There were six females and two males, aged 27 to 46 years. Seven patients had the spleen removed laparoscopically and one had laparoscopically assisted splenectomy. The operations took from 2 h 15 min to 3 h 30 min (mean 2 h 45 min). The spleens removed varied from 70 to 563 g (mean = 250). Blood loss ranged from insignificant to 1400 ml. Significant bleeding was encountered in three patients with moderate splenomegaly (240, 350, 563 g). Two patients received autologous blood transfusion. The average narcotic required was three doses. The patients were discharged after a mean postoperative stay of 3 days (range 2–4). One patient developed a below knee deep venous thrombosis. Laparoscopic splenectomy is possible and promises to provide the advantages associated with other laparoscopic procedures. Patients with an enlarged spleen can present a technical challenge, and there is a potential for significant blood loss. The current technology and laparoscopic expertise means that this procedure should probably be limited to patients whose spleens are not palpable clinically.     

Concomitant intraoperative splenic artery embolization and laparoscopic splenectomy versus laparoscopic splenectomy: comparison of treatment outcome

INTRODUCTION: Although laparoscopic splenectomy has become the preferred treatment of choice for hematologic-related splenic disorders, intraoperative blood loss remains a common occurrence. In an effort to reduce this risk, we evaluate the potential role and clinical outcome of concomitant intraoperative splenic artery embolization and laparoscopic splenectomy. METHODS: Between June 2000 and July 2005, 18 patients with hematologically related splenic disorders underwent combined intraoperative splenic artery embolization and laparoscopic splenectomy (group 1). For comparison, we studied 18 age- and gender-matched case controls undergoing same operations during the same period (group 2). Intraoperative data and clinical outcome were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Technical success was 100% in group 1. One patient in group 2 was converted to open splenectomy because of severe blood loss, resulting in a technical success rate of 95%. The mean splenic size in group 1 and group 2 was 15.5 +/- 4.7 cm (range, 12-23 cm) and 15.7 +/- 6.8 (range, 11-24 cm), respectively (not significant [NS]). Mean operative time in group 1 and group 2 was 175 minutes and 162 minutes, respectively (NS). Significantly less intraoperative blood loss was noted in group 1 (mean, 25 mL; range, 15-63 mL) compared with group 2 (mean, 240 mL; range, 150-420 mL; P < .003). There was an even greater difference in blood loss between the 2 groups when the splenic size was greater than 18 cm (mean 35 mL in group 1 versus 350 mL in group 2, P < .001). No differences were noted in postoperative recovery, return of bowel function, or length of hospital stay between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant splenic artery embolization and laparoscopic splenic reduced operative blood loss when compared with laparoscopic splenectomy procedure alone. Splenic artery embolization is a useful intraoperative adjunctive procedure that should be considered in patients undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy for hematologic disorders who are Jehovah's Witness or with significant hypersplenism because of benefit of reduced blood loss.     

脾叶动脉相关的腹腔镜下脾脏大体解剖的临床应用研究

目的:腹腔镜下对与脾叶动脉相关的脾脏大体解剖观察,研究腹腔镜脾切除术(LS)时脾蒂血管的最佳处理方式,并探讨腹腔镜治疗部分性脾栓塞术脾脏疾病的可行性。方法:对30例完全腹腔镜脾切除时对脾切迹分布、脾叶动脉阻断后脾供血界面变化、脾叶动脉处理方式进行归纳分析。结果:30例LS观察脾切迹分布:脾前缘切迹一个6例,占20%;二个13例,占43.3%;三个11例,占36.7%。脾叶动脉阻断后脾供血界面:分界清晰28例,占93.3%;分界模糊2例,占6.7%。界面分布在脾切迹所在平面或其延长线上,而与之相对的脾门区基本无二级血管,为脾叶动脉血管间隙。LS需要结扎、夹闭的脾叶动脉数:二支19例,占63.3%;三支7例,占23.3%;四支4例,占13.3%。腹腔镜下脾蒂血管处理方法:电凝+超声刀分离、钛夹+线结扎脾叶动脉23例,占76.7%;超声刀分离+Endo-G IA 6例,占20%;超声刀分离、线结扎+L igaSure 1例,占3.3%。30例LS中无术中凶险出血,无术中副损伤,无中转开腹。结论:LS时用电凝+超声刀分离、钛夹+线结扎脾叶动脉的“二级脾蒂离断术”处理脾蒂血管安全可靠,更符合我国医疗消费水平。应用腹腔镜行脾脏叶动脉或段动脉结扎,对临床上需要行部分性脾栓塞术(PSE)疾病的治疗将是一种新的微创治疗方法。     

Laparoscopic splenectomy

Between early 1992 and December 1994, laparoscopic splenectomy was performed in 27 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP), hairy-cell leucemia, HIV, or Hodgkin's disease. In all cases medical treatment, especially cortisone therapy, failed. In Hodgkin's disease the splenectomy was combined with liver biopsies and dissection of parailiacal, paraaortic, and mesenteric lymph nodes for abdominal staging.The operation was performed using four trocars; the splenic vessels were divided by a linear stapler. In general the spleen was removed in a bag through a slightly enlarged trocar incision or after morcellation. Three patients needed a small laparotomy for the removal (laparoscopic assisted). In a recent case of Hodgkin's disease the intact spleen was removed via posterior colpotomy.In 22 of 27 cases (81%) the operation was finished laparoscopically. Five times a conversion to conventional laparotomy was necessary because of bleeding of enlarged lymph nodes at the hilum. Wound infections occurred in two cases. In one patient with ITP the platelet count did not improve and continuous blood loss led to relaparotomy at the 1st postoperative day. No surgical bleeding was found. All patients tolerated a fluid diet at the 1st postoperative day and hospitalization time was 4.4 days (range 3–14).Regarding the low complication rate and the advantages of a smaller abdominal trauma in the postoperative period, the laparoscopic approach for elective splenectomy and laparoscopic abdominal staging has a substantial benefit for the patients.     

Laparoscopic management of splenic artery aneurysms

Splenic artery aneurysms are rare clinical entities that carry the risk of rupture and fatal hemorrhage. Due to the availability of advanced imaging techniques, they are now being found more frequently and identified earlier. Historically, the surgical approach to their management has consisted of laparotomy with resection of the aneurysm and a possible splenectomy. Recently, angiographic interventions and laparoscopic exclusion of splenic artery aneurysm has been shown to provide adequate therapy without the morbidity associated with open aneurysmectomy and splenectomy. In patients with previous abdominal surgery, a planned hand-assisted approach may be needed. We present the cases of two patients with splenic artery aneurysms who were successfully managed laparoscopically. The hand-assisted approach was needed in our second patient, who had a history of gastric bypass surgery. Both patients had an uneventful postoperative course and were discharged home on postoperative day one.