Accessory spleen diagnostically hidden, laparoscopically removed – case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction. Accessory spleen represents ectopic spleen tissue separated from the body of the spleen, with the percentage share of 10–15% in a population. Case outline. We present a female patient in which immune thrombocytopenic purpura was diagnosed 12 years previously and, after a failed initial treatment, it was decided by a hematologist to perform a laparoscopic splenectomy. The mentioned operation was carried out in a safe and efficient manner wherein the accessory spleen was detected and removed intraoperatively. The operative and postoperative course passed without any complications. The definitive histopathological findings confirmed previously set hematological diagnosis. Conclusion. The laparoscopic approach is a superior modality in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures when it comes to surgical removal of the accessory spleen. Taking into consideration the advantages of this approach presented and proven in literature, even in the case of diagnostically or intraoperatively overlooked accessory spleen or de novo discovered after the operation, there should be no dilemma which surgical approach should be applied.

Keywords

• spleen
• accessory spleen
• laparoscopy
• splenectomy