Concomitant Laparoscopic Splenectomy and Cholecystectomy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of concomitant laparoscopic treatment for coexisting spleen and gallbladder diseases. Methods: Between March 1997 and August 2009, 9 patients underwent concomitant laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy. Indications for laparoscopic splenectomy included hereditary spherocytosis (4 patients), splenic artery aneurysm (2), hypersplenism (2), and Evans syndrome (1). Results: The median operating time and the blood loss were 165 minutes (range: 70 to 300 min) and 36 mL (range: 10 to 274 mL). The median resected splenic weight was 256 g (range: 137 to 820 g). No patient required conversion to an open procedure. Portal system thrombosis occurred in 2 patients. The median length of hospital stay was 9 days (range: 3 to 15 d). Conclusion: With increasing institutional experience, concomitant laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible procedure and may be considered for coexisting spleen and gallbladder diseases.