There are a variety of diseases that affect the spleen and can cause destruction of blood cells, platelets or red cells. ITP, or immune thrombocytopenic purpura, is a disease which destroys platelets and can lead to bleeding problems. If not controlled by medication, splenectomy is highly effective at curing this disease. Hereditary spherocytosis destroys red blood cells and also responds well to splenectomy. A variety of other disorders of the spleen can respond to treatments or require splenectomy. Laparoscopy is ideally suited to this operation especially if the spleen is of normal or reduced size although even enlarged spleens can be removed this way. The  recovery is quicker and easier than with open surgery and generally involves minimal blood loss and low complication rates.