Laparoscopic Splenectomy with an Ultrasonic Dissector

To the Editor: We herewith report successful laparoscopic splenectomy. Two women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, one 55 years of age and the other 26 years of age, were referred to us for splenectomy. After we explained the available options to them, they chose to undergo laparoscopic splenectomy instead of conventional splenectomy. After the administration of general anesthesia, a trocar was inserted through the left upper pararectal line, and carbon dioxide was injected into the peritoneal cavity. The patients were then placed in a right lateral recumbent position, and four 10-mm laparoscopic ports were placed in the left side of the…