Spleen removal
Key points
- In healthy people, the spleen plays a role in immunity against bacterial infections.
- The outcome varies with the underlying disease or the extent of other injuries.
- Hospitalization is usually less than a week (1-2 days for laparoscopic splenectomy), and complete healing should occur within 4 to 6 weeks.
- The spleen is in the uppermost area of the left side of the abdomen, just under the diaphragm.
Alternative names
Splenectomy
Definition
Surgery is required to remove a diseased or damaged spleen.
Description
In healthy people, the spleen plays a role in immunity against bacterial infections. The spleen is in the uppermost area of the left side of the abdomen, just under the diaphragm. It typically has attachments to the stomach, left kidney, and colon.
If the surgery is elective (planned) rather than an emergency, your doctor will give you vaccines against certain bacteria prior to removing the spleen. If the operation is an emergency, you should get the vaccines after the operation.
The spleen is removed while the patient is under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen, locates the spleen, and separates it from its attachments to the surrounding organs. The surgeon then divides the blood supply to the spleen and removes it from the abdomen. After a careful check for bleeding, the abdominal incision is closed.
Some patients may be able to undergo laparoscopic surgery (also known as "keyhole" or "telescopic" surgery) to remove the spleen. This operation is done with several tiny incisions instead of a single large one, and recovery is typically faster. Some patients, however, are not suited to laparoscopic surgery.
Indications
Some conditions which may require spleen removal include:
EMERGENCY:
- Trauma to the spleen with uncontrolled bleeding
- Spontaneous rupture (extremely rare)
ELECTIVE:
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)
- Congenital or acquired hemolytic anemia
- Thrombosis (clot) of the splenic blood vessels
- Portal hypertension and hypersplenism
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Lymphoma, Leukemia with a markedly Enlarged spleen
Risks
Risks for any anesthesia include the following:
- Reactions to medications
- Breathing problems, Pneumonia
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.