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Abstract
Introduction Despite a higher incidence of postoperative complications, splenectomy is a commonly performed procedure for splenic space-occupying lesions. [1] Therefore, emphasis on the preservation of splenic function has been raised that is, at least 25% of the spleen's weight must be retained to maintain splenic immunologic functions, with the prerequisite of adequate arterial blood supply. The others presented no obvious symptoms but were diagnosed with splenic space-occupying lesions by physical examination during clinical visits. All patients were examined by enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to verify the nature of the mass and its relationship with the neighboring tissues, especially the relationship between the hilar vessels of the spleen and the mass as well as the residual spleen [Figure 1]. The inclusion criteria were as follows: having solid mass or cystic mass in the spleen (benign lesions revealed by preoperative CT or MRI) with an increase in size. The transection of the spleen was performed after exposing the splenic artery by dissection of posterior peritoneum at the superior border of the pancreas and temporarily occluding it in order to reduce the bleeding of the wound. The number of the platelets (data not shown) increased but within the normal range (100-300 × 10 9 /L) during the hospital stay in contrast to the preoperative period. When we reviewed the disease history postoperation, the patient said that she sustained intermittent upper left abdominal pain after the cesarean section 18 years ago. [...]intraoperative massive hemorrhage is prone to occur if...