Impact of Underlying Disease and Preoperative Factors on Postoperative Outcomes after Laparoscopic Splenectomy: A Bicentric Retrospective Analysis

Background: Although the laparoscopic approach is considered the gold standard for elective splenectomy, it is still debated whether the underlying disease affects postoperative outcomes. Given the importance of good patient selection in the early stages of the learning curve for laparoscopic splenectomy (LS), this study aimed to compare the postoperative outcomes following LS for malignant diseases and benign diseases (MDs and BDs). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent LS was performed at 2 different institutions between January 2013 and September 2020. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on the underlying BDs or MDs, and the 30 days postoperative outcomes were compared. Risk factors for overall complications were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: LS was performed for BDs and MDs in 51 (67%) and 25 (33%) patients, respectively. The overall morbidity rate and the intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were significantly higher in the MD group (P<0.05). In the univariate analysis, the underlying MD, age above 49.5 years, body mass index >24.9, the long axis of the spleen >16 cm, and spleen weight >600 g were significantly associated with increased postoperative morbidity. Conclusion: In addition to the underlying disease, preoperative conditions may also affect the complication rates after LS. These findings may be helpful in patient selection, especially in the early stages of the learning curve for minimally invasive splenectomies.