SURGICAL ASPECTS AND RESULTS OF LAPAROTOMY AND SPLENECTOMY IN HODGKIN’S DISEASE

Abstract

Surgical staging of Hodgkin’s disease, i.e., laparotomy and splenectomy is a complex procedure, requiring considerable preoperative preparation and anticipation by the surgeon in conjunction with his medical colleagues. The surgeon is responsible for the systematic removal of the spleen, liver biopsy samples, lymph node samples, removal of the appendix and transposition of the ovaries in the female patient. He must adequately and systematically mark these areas of dissection to assist later in the evaluation of the pathologic findings and to assist the radiation therapist in treatment planning when that is performed postoperatively.