Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine if a diagnosis of malignant vs. benign disease is an accurate predictor of patient outcome after laparoscopic splenectomy (LS).
Methods: A comprehensive retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing LS from April 1994 through August 2007 was conducted. Statistical methods used included Fisher’s Exact Test, Student’s T-Test with Welch correction, and Mann-Whitney Analysis.
Results: LS was undertaken in 195 patients (M:F, 74:121) with a mean age of 49.6 years (range, 17-96) and a mean BMI of 28.4±7.5 kg/m2. Forty-six operations were performed for malignancy, with lymphoma being the most common indication (n=40). Of the 149 patients operated on for benign disease, ITP was the most frequent reason for LS (n=77). Patients with malignant disease were older (54.6 vs. 48.1 yrs, p=0.03), but the 2 populations were similar in terms of BMI and ASA score (p=NS). Splenic size was greater in the malignant spleen patients, both in terms of maximal dimension (18.6 vs. 13.4 cm, p
Session: Poster of Distinction
Program Number: P010