About Spleen Removal Surgery
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What is Spleen Removal Surgery?
Spleen removal surgery, known as splenectomy, is a surgical procedure in which a diseased or damaged spleen is partially or completely removed.
How is Splenectomy Performed?
Spleen removal surgery can be performed by an open surgery or by a laparoscopic method. The surgery may be done to completely remove the spleen that is enlarged or ruptured, or the spleen may also be partially removed.
Open-complete splenectomy to remove an enlarged spleen
- An incision is made in the middle of the abdomen, or on the left side of the abdomen below the ribs.
- The artery connected to the spleen is tied to avoid blood loss.
- The ligaments that hold the spleen are detached and the spleen is removed.
- If required, tissue samples are extracted and sent for lab analysis.
- After the surgery is over, the incision is closed.
Open-complete splenectomy to remove a ruptured spleen
- An incision is made in the middle of the abdomen, or on the left side of the abdomen below the ribs.
- The spleen is approached from the underside and the artery connected to the spleen is tied.
- The ligaments that hold the spleen are detached and the ruptured spleen is removed.
- After the surgery is over, the incision is closed.
Partial splenectomy
- Sometimes only part of the spleen is removed to reduce pain that is caused by an enlarged spleen.
- In partial splenectomy, the patient is less vulnerable to infection.
Laparoscopic splenectomy
A laparoscopic splenectomy may be performed if the spleen is less than 20 centimeters long, when measured in a CT scan.
- Three to five incisions are made on the patient’s abdomen.
- A laparoscope, which is an endoscopic instrument with a light and camera attached to it, is inserted through one of the incisions.
- Other surgical instruments are inserted through the other incisions.
- Gas is pumped into the abdomen to inflate it, so that the surgeon gets more space to work.
- The spleen is removed using the laparoscope and other surgical instruments.
How to Prepare for the Spleen Removal Surgery?
- The patient needs a complete physical check up.
- Some blood tests and imaging tests are also required.
- Blood transfusion may also be required.
- The patient may need some immunization vaccines.
- If the patient is a smoker, the patient should quit smoking some weeks before the surgery.
- Certain medications that the patient may be taking should be stopped a week before the surgery.
- The patients should inform the doctor about any ailments and medical conditions.
Days admitted : Less than a week for an open splenectomy;
one to two days for a laparoscopic splenectomy.
Anesthesia : General anesthesia
Recovery : - After the surgery, the patient may require blood transfusion to replace diseased blood cells.
- Some patients may be able to return to work in a few days after the surgery, while others may need a longer period of rest.
- The patient can recover and resume normal activities in 4 to 6 weeks.
Risks : - Injury to other organs
- Post-splenectomy sepsis
- Blood clot in the portal vein
- Collapsed lung
- Heart attack or stroke
- Blood loss
- Blood clot
- Infection
- Breathing problems
After care : - After the surgery, the patient may require blood transfusion to replace diseased blood cells.
- Some patients may be able to return to work in a few days after the surgery, while others may need a longer period of rest.
- The patient can recover and resume normal activities in 4 to 6 weeks.
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