Spleen removal

Definition

Spleen removal (splenectomy) is surgery to remove a diseased or damaged spleen. This organ is in the upper part of your belly, on the left side. It helps your body fight germs and infections. It also helps filter your blood.

Alternative Names

Splenectomy; Laparoscopic splenectomy; Spleen removal - laparoscopic

Description

The spleen is removed while you are under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free). Your surgeon may do either an open splenectomy or a laparoscopic splenectomy.

In an open spleen removal:

• Your surgeon will make an incision (cut) in the middle of your belly or on the left side of the belly just below your ribs.
• Your surgeon will find your spleen and remove it.
• If you are also being treated for cancer, lymph nodes in your belly will be examined. They may also be removed.
• After checking carefully for bleeding in your belly, your surgeon will close your incision.

For laparoscopic spleen removal:

• A laparoscope is an instrument with a tiny camera and a light on the end. It allows your surgeon to see the area through just a small incision. Your surgeon will make 3 to 4 small cuts in your belly. The laparoscope will be inserted through one of the cuts. Other medical instruments will be inserted through the other cuts. Gas will be pumped into your belly to expand it. This gives your surgeon more space to work.
• Your surgeon will use the laparoscope and the other instruments to remove your spleen.
• Patients usually recover more quickly from laparoscopic surgery than from open surgery.
• Laparoscopic surgery is not for everyone. Ask your doctor if it may be right for you.

Risks

Risks for any surgery are:

• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
• Breathing problems
• Infection, including in the surgical wound, lungs (pneumonia), or bladder or kidney
• Blood loss
• Heart attack or stroke during surgery
• Reactions to medicines

The risks or problems that may occur during or soon after this surgery are:

• Injury to nearby organs, such as the pancreas, stomach, and colon
• Increased risk for infection after splenectomy (post-splenectomy sepsis or other infections -- children are at higher risk than adults for infection)
• Collapsed lung
• Blood clot in the portal vein (an important vein that carries blood the liver)

Risks are the same for both open and laparoscopic spleen removal.