Tailored Low-Cost Homemade Retrieval Bag for Laparoscopic Splenectomy, A Valid Option in Resource Limited Settings

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is the gold standard technique for patients undergoing elective splenectomy currently. The presence of retrieval bag is essential to extract the spleen from the abdomen whether by crushing or morcellation. Commercial retrieval bags are expensive and often not readily available, especially in resource-limited settings. This work assessed the advantages and efficacy of homemade retrieval bags including cost assessment in laparoscopic splenectomy.

Methods: This prospective study included 20 pediatric and adolescent patients less than 21 years old who had LS. Demographic data, clinical examination, operative time, retrieval time, hospital stay, and complications were documented. Also, effectiveness of the retrieval bag that was tailored from a sterile endoscopy camera cover.

Results: The mean operative time was 67.25 ± 5.69 min, and retrieval time was 24.2 ± 2.93 min. The mean hospital stays were 1.75 ± 0.72 days. Regarding complications, fever occurred in 4 patients (20%) patients, while port site infection occurred in 2 patients (10%) and bag perforation occurred in 1 patient (5%) patient. This home retrieval bag is significantly showed cost reduction.

Conclusions: Using homemade retrieval bags during LS improves LS efficiency and reduces the length of hospital stays and didn’t differ in postoperative complications as compared to commercial bags.