Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy is considered the standard of care for the removal of the spleen in benign diseases. There are not sufficient data for the routine application of this technique in patients with beta thalassemia major.
Materials and methods: Twenty-eight consecutive beta thalassemia major patients who underwent elective splenectomy were randomized for open and laparoscopic splenectomy. Patient demographics, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, conversion rate, transfusions, and length of stay were recorded.
Results: There was no mortality in this series. There was no difference in complication rates between the two groups. Operative time was markedly increased in the group treated laparoscopically, as was the need for blood transfusions. Median hospital stay was decreased in the laparoscopic group (5 days) compared to the open group (6.5 days).
Conclusions: Laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with beta thalassemia major is feasible; however, it is more time consuming and bleeding occurs more often.