Laparoscopic splenectomy in children with benign hematological diseases: Leaving nothing behind policy

CONTEXT: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is considered the standard approach for the treatment of children with nonmalignant hematological diseases due to the advances in the minimal invasive surgery over the conventional splenectomy (CS). Different techniques are involved in the operation to secure the hilum. AIM: The use of (Ligasure™) is a safe, effective, less time consuming and with less complications rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty children (33 with thalassemia, 20 with immune thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP] and seven with spherocytosis) were operated during the period from June 2007 to December 2014. These children had undergone LS using (Ligasure™). Three ports were used in small-sized spleens while four ports were used in large spleens. RESULTS: There were 60 children (37 girls and 23 boys) with a mean age of 10.2 years had LS using Ligasure™ with mean operative time of 85 min for cases of ITP and 120 min for other cases. There was no mortality. Two cases were converted to CS. CONCLUSIONS: Use of Ligasure™ alone was safe, less time consuming with less complications rates.