Normal anatomy:
The spleen is an organ involved in the production of certain circulating white blood cells, as a part of the lymph system, and as a part of the immune system. It also removes old or damaged red blood cells from circulating blood.
Indications:
Guidelines for splenectomy include:
Congenital or acquired hemolytic anemia
Idiopathic thrombocytopenia
Trauma to the spleen
Some times of lymphoma, leukemia, or Hodgkin's disease
Portal hypertension with hypersplenism
Hereditary spherocytosis
Incision: General anesthesia is used. The patient is in deep sleep and pain free. The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen.
Procedure:
The surgeon locates and isolates the spleen, rotates it and brings it out through the incision. Its attachments to other organs are gently cut. In children, following traumatic injury and splenic disruption, a healthy fragment of the spleen may be reimplanted. Such fragments provide continued splenic function.
Aftercare: The outcome varies with the underlying disease and extent of other injuries. Complete recovery from surgery should be anticipated.
Recovery from the operation should be rapid. Hospitalization should be less than a week, and complete healing should occur within 3 to 4 weeks.
Review Date: 6/8/2008 Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
