Abstract:
AIM: Splenectomy has been performed for various indications. In this study, we aimed to present the experience of a tertiary center on splenic surgery and analyze what has changed in the last 10 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and sixteen patients who underwent splenic surgery were enrolled in the study. Demographic data, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, indications, operation type, postoperative complications, and mortality were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common indication was traumatic splenic injury. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and gastric cancer were the second and third. Splenectomy was performed on 300 (94.9%) patients. Splenorrhaphy, partial splenectomy, and splenopexy were the other procedures performed. Postoperative complications occurred in almost one-third of the patients (n=118, 37.3%). Most of them were grade 5 according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy has become a less preferred treatment option with the development of non-operative management in splenic trauma, medical treatments for hematological diseases, and a better understanding of the immune, hematological and metabolic functions of the spleen. In the future, minimally invasive and spleen-sparing surgeries will be performed more frequently for patients who need splenectomy even for those with trauma. © 2022, Edizioni Luigi Pozzi. All rights reserved.