Partial spleen resection with a radiofrequency needle device--a pilot study.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Total splenectomy leads to an immunocompromised state, with an increased lifetime risk of infection. The lifetime risk of developing overwhelming postsplenectomy infection is 5 %, with a mortality rate of approximately 50 %. In addition to vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis, partial splenectomy is believed to improve patient safety.

METHODS:

We performed partial splenectomy in seven patients using a radiofrequency (RF) technique with Habib® needles. In seven patients, an open access partial splenectomy was performed. In three patients, a partial splenectomy was performed simultaneously with intraabdominal tumour resection. In two patients, the upper pole of the spleen was removed due to tumours of the spleen. In one patient, a large symptomatic splenic cyst was resected and in another patient, a partial splenectomy was performed due to trauma. RF was applied using Habib® needles (AngioDynamics, Manchester, GA, 31816, USA).

RESULTS:

The partial splenectomy procedures were easy and safe in all seven patients. The RF application with the Habib® needles led to primary haemostasis. The blood loss was less than 50 ml in all cases. After a minimum follow-up of 1 year, there were no cases of infections or other adverse events related to the previous partial splenectomy.

CONCLUSION:

In our experience, partial splenectomy with Habib® needles is easy to perform and safe for the patient. Thus, radiofrequency resection is a good alternative to total splenectomy in many patients and reduces the risk of postsplenectomy infections.

• Authors: Juliane Liese, Sven Kohler, Christian Moench, Wolf Otto Bechstein, Frank Ulrich
• Journal: Langenbeck's archives of surgery (Langenbecks Arch Surg) Vol. 398 Issue 3 Pg. 449-54 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1435-2451 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23385735 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anastomosis, Surgical
• Biopsy, Needle
• Catheter Ablation (instrumentation, methods)
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hospital Mortality (trends)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures (instrumentation, methods)
• Patient Safety
• Postoperative Complications (mortality, physiopathology)
• Preoperative Care (methods)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Assessment
• Splenectomy (adverse effects, methods)
• Splenic Diseases (mortality, pathology, surgery)
• Survival Rate
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome