Laparoscopic Splenectomy

Laparoscopic splenectomy in veterinary medicine has been documented in both cats and dogs using both a multiple-port and single-incision approach. Research and clinical studies have documented the feasibility of this technique, and early work suggests that animals undergoing this procedure have decreased blood loss, pain scores, and wound complications compared with those undergoing standard open splenectomy. Current patient selection recommendations for laparoscopic splenectomy include splenic masses smaller than 6 cm, mild to moderate generalized splenomegaly, and absence of concurrent hemoperitoneum.