Transvaginal Mini-Laparoscopic Splenectomy

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 7; no. 9; p. e336
• Main Authors: Yagci, Mehmet Ali A, Kayaalp, Cuneyt, Sumer, Fatih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus 29-09-2015
• Subjects: General Surgery; laparoscopy; natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery; natural orifice surgery; splenectomy; natural orifice specimen extraction; transvaginal
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.336

We aimed to perform a more and more minimal invasive splenectomy by only through two 5 mm umbilical trocars and one vaginal trocar. A 43-year-old female (BMI 31 kg/m(2), ASA II) with immune thrombocytopenic purpura was planned for splenectomy. She had a history of a previous cesarean section for three times. Two 5 mm trocars were inserted separately through the umbilicus. We did not use any single port device or similar modifications. A 15 mm trocar was inserted through the posterior fornix of the vagina under umbilical laparoscopic vision. The 5 mm umbilical ports were used for camera and retraction of the spleen. The transvaginal port was used for dissection and division of the spleen by a 10-mm LigaSure Atlas vessel sealing system. No clips or staples were used. As the spleen became completely free in the abdomen, it was removed through the vagina in a bag without fragmentation. The operating time was 200 minutes and the blood loss was minimal (< 20 ml). No drain or abdominal fascia suturing was used but closing the posterior fornix of the vagina. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on day two without complication. She did not require any analgesics postoperatively. Platelet values increased to 408.000 mm(3) in the follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this report described the most minimal invasive splenectomy even. Additionally, it provided an unfragmented spleen extraction. The transvaginal approach seems to be a feasible way to perform natural orifice splenectomy.