Abstract

While laparoscopic splenectomy has become the standard procedure for the surgical treatment of hematologic splenic disorders, the role of robotic splenectomy is still a matter of debate. The robotic equipment is expensive, still bulky and the surgical team needs special training. However, there are some limitations of laparoscopy in difficult splenectomies (massive splenomegaly, portal hypertension, partial/subtotal splenectomy and splenic malignancies) which can be overcome by the robotic system by means of better visualization, maneuverability and motion control allowing a better dissection of the splenic vessels and precise and timeefficient intracorporeal maneuvers.