Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to compare perioperative and postoperative outcomes of simultaneous laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with those of isolated procedures in children.

Patients and methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent LS, LC, or simultaneous LS and LC between January 2014 and June 2024. Demographic characteristics, operative details, complications (Clavien-Dindo classification), transfusion requirements, hospital stay, and long-term hematologic parameters were analyzed.

Results: A total of 31 patients (17 male, 14 female; mean age: 10.6 ± 3.9 years; range, 4 to 17 years) were included and divided into three groups according to the surgical procedure performed: the LS group (n = 12), the LC group (n = 8), and the LS+LC group (n = 11). The mean operative time was significantly longer in the LS+LC group (199.0 ± 88.2 min) compared to LS (138.0 ± 48.8 min) and LC (86.4 ± 25.4 min) (p < 0.05). Hospital stay was also longer in the combined group (9.7 ± 4.0 days, p < 0.05). However, complication rates, transfusion requirements, and conversion rates were comparable across groups. One case of portal vein thrombosis occurred in the LS group. No mortality was observed.

Conclusion: Simultaneous LS and cholecystectomy is a feasible surgical option for carefully selected children with hematologic disorders requiring both procedures. Although combined surgery was associated with longer operative time and hospital stay, the severity of postoperative complications did not differ significantly among the surgical groups. No portal vein thrombosis or mortality occurred in the combined group. These findings support the potential benefits of a single-stage approach in avoiding separate operations and repeated anesthetic exposures, while highlighting the need for larger studies to confirm its safety and comparative effectiveness.

Citation: Deliağa H, Özcan H, Öztürk M, Özçakır E, Kaya M. Simultaneous laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy in children with hereditary spherocytosis: Experience from a cohort of pediatric hematologic disorders. Turkish J Ped Surg 2026;40(3):169-175. doi: 10.62114/JTAPS.2026.287.