Laparoscopic treatment of splenic lymphangiomas: report of three cases

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Since 1991, laparoscopic splenectomy has been performed in many different pathologies of the spleen. Although it is a rare lesion, splenic lymphangiomas are cystic lesions of the spleen requiring splenectomy. Herein, we present three females who have undergone laparoscopic splenectomy with the diagnosis of cystic splenic lymphangioma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the last four years, in Istanbul Medical School, Department of General Surgery (Turkey) and in University of Catania Medical School, Department of Surgery (Italy), we performed laparoscopic splenectomy in three cases of splenic lymphangioma. RESULTS: These three female patients, with the age of 26, 30 and 40, had nonspecific abdominal pain requiring abdominal CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging, which showed incidental cystic lesions in the spleen, associated with cholelithiasis in one case. Preoperative laboratory tests and physical examinations were normal. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed successfully with three 10 mm trocars in two patients in less than 1 hour, and with an Hasson trocar, two 5 mm trocars and one 10-12 mm trocar in the last case, who required simultaneous cholecystectomy. No peroperative and postoperative complications has occurred. Histopathological examinations confirmed the preoperative diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic splenectomy is the best treatment for patients with suspected cystic lymphangioma. It permits a total pathological examination of the spleen, and it should be preferred to partial splenectomy because of possible multiple lesions. In conclusion, minimal invasive treatment of this rare pathology is an effective and safe procedure.