Purpose: We describe 6 cases of laparoscopic splenectomy for multiple, fusiform splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) in patients difficult to treat with interventional radiology procedure and present a literature review.
Methods: Between November 1999 and May 2008, 6 patients with SAA underwent laparoscopic surgery. Among these patients, 4 had splenectomy alone and 2 had splenectomy with distal pancreatectomy. The mean size of the aneurysm was 3.1 cm (range: 2 to 4 cm).
Results: Laparoscopic surgeries for SAA were completed successfully in all the 6 patients. The mean operative time and the blood loss were 186.7 minutes (range: 115 to 300 min) and 187.8 mL (range: 3 to 850 mL). The length of the hospital stay was 8.5 days (range: 3 to 15 d). In only 1 case, portal system thrombosis was observed, and the other serious morbidities such as hemorrhage or pancreatic leakage were not observed. No recurrence was observed during a mean follow-up period of 116 months (range: 14 to 260 mo).
Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery should be considered to be a safe therapeutic option for SAA patients with the risk of rupture who are difficult to treat with interventional radiology therapy.