Abstract.
The recent advent of laparoscopic splenectomy for the treatment of refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has been embraced by surgeons and hematologists in many institutions. However, the occurrence of accessory splenic tissue in a proportion of such splenectomies, either concurrently or later, raises the question of how to deal with this problem when it arises. We report that the laparoscopic approach, facilitated by lateral positioning, can be successfully used for the treatment of an accessory spleen causing recurrent ITP. The use of intraoperative nuclear imaging can greatly aid the localization and provide confirmation of complete excision of the nuclear focus, especially for a very small accessory spleen.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 29 April 1997/Accepted: 14 July 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coventry, B., Watson, D., Tucker, K. et al. Intraoperative scintigraphic localization and laparoscopic excision of accessory splenic tissue. Surg Endosc 12, 159–161 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900620
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900620