Laparoscopic splenectomy has become the gold standard intervention for the removal of the spleen, especially for benign causes. However, the organ's high anatomic location, fragility and generous blood supply makes the procedure an advanced laparoscopic operation.
Furthermore, unlike patients with gall bladder stones, patients who need splenectomy for benign disorders are rare. These factors may prohibit the laparoscopic surgeon from becoming proficient in laparoscopic splenectomy. Measuring the expertise and setting a minimum number of procedures needed to be performed in order to be accepted as proficient in this rather rare operation has proved difficult.
Using Contrast Enhanced Sonography Improves Diagnosis of Liver and Spleen Injuries
Contrast-enhanced sonography shows liver and spleen injuries better than non-contrast enhanced sonography, according to a study.
Contrast-enhanced sonography shows liver and spleen injuries better than non-contrast enhanced sonography, according to a study.
In this study, all patients in need of splenectomy for benign causes in whom laparoscopic splenectomy was attempted by a single surgeon during a time period of 6 years were included in the study. Besides demographics, operation-related variables and the response to surgery were recorded. The patients were allocated to groups of five, ranked according to the date of the operation. Operation duration, complications, postoperative length of stay, conversion to laparotomy and splenic weight were then compared between these groups.
They found that unlike the widely accepted "L" shape, the learning curve for laparoscopic splenectomy was a horizontal lazy "S" with two distinct slopes. With the first 5 cases the novice may be granted privileges for performing laparoscopic splenectomy on an individual basis. Past the 25th case the surgeon could be accepted as an expert in the field.
Researchers Discover Unexpected Reservoir of Monocytes in Spleen
A new report from researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Systems Biology, directed by Ralph Weissleder, MD, PhD has concluded that it takes a spleen to mend a broken heart
A new report from researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Systems Biology, directed by Ralph Weissleder, MD, PhD has concluded that it takes a spleen to mend a broken heart
Source-Eurekalert
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'Jigsaw Kid' Has 5 Spleens
Bethany Jordan is suffering from a rare disease called the Ivermark Syndrome. She has five spleens and a back to front liver.
Bethany Jordan is suffering from a rare disease called the Ivermark Syndrome. She has five spleens and a back to front liver.
Our Body's 'Junk Parts' Are Actually Hard At Work!
According to researchers, vestigial organs like appendix, spleen, tonsils and various redundant veins, which have long been considered useless, are not really expendable as previously believed.
According to researchers, vestigial organs like appendix, spleen, tonsils and various redundant veins, which have long been considered useless, are not really expendable as previously believed.
