how long does surgery take to remove a spleen

Why would someone need surgery to remove their spleen?

Your doctor may recommend splenectomy if you have one of the following:

• Ruptured spleen. If your spleen ruptures due to a severe abdominal injury or because of an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), the result may be life-threatening, internal bleeding.
• Enlarged spleen. ...
• Blood disorder. ...
• Cancer. ...
• Infection. ...
• Cyst or tumor. ...

What are the consequences of removing the spleen?

➜ As the position of the spleen is very close to the lungs, there is always a chance of lung collapse after the spleen is removed. It can also lead to pneumonia and fluid accumulation in the lungs. ➜ Our body depends on the spleen to get rid of harmful bacteria and other such microorganisms.

What diet should be followed after a spleen is removed?

Splenectomy & Diet

• Splenectomy. A splenectomy is a medical technique used to remove the spleen by several incisions. ...
• Clear Liquid Diet. A clear liquid diet includes any colorless or clear food and beverage. ...
• Diet Progression. A clear liquid diet is not an adequate source of calories and essential nutrients. ...
• Considerations. ...

What happens if your spleen is removed?

What are the common complications after open splenectomy?

• Blood clot in the vein that carries blood to the liver
• Hernia or infection at the operated site
• Inflammation of the pancreas ( pancreatitis)
• Lung collapse
• Injury to the pancreas, stomach, and colon

See more

How long does spleen surgery take?

You are put to sleep with a general anesthesia. The surgery is done using several small incisions (cuts) in the abdomen (the area below the ribcage and above the belly button). The incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches and tape (steri-strips). The surgery usually takes about 3 to 5 hours.

Is spleen removal a major surgery?

Removing your spleen is a major surgery and leaves you with a compromised immune system. For these reasons, it's only performed when truly necessary. The benefits of a splenectomy are that it can resolve several health issues such as blood diseases, cancer, and infection that could not be treated any other way.

How long is hospital stay after spleen removal?

After the Procedure You or your child will spend less than a week in the hospital. The hospital stay may be only 1 or 2 days after a laparoscopic splenectomy. Healing will likely take 4 to 6 weeks. After going home, follow instructions on taking care of yourself or your child.

How serious is a spleen removal?

If your spleen needs to be removed, other organs, such as the liver, can take over many of the spleen's functions. This means you'll still be able to cope with most infections. But there's a small risk that a serious infection may develop quickly. This risk will be present for the rest of your life.

What can I expect after my spleen is removed?

After a splenectomy, you are likely to have pain for several days. You may also feel like you have influenza (flu). You may have a low fever and feel tired and nauseated. This is common.

What happens after you have your spleen removed?

Life without a spleen After splenectomy, other organs in your body take over most of the functions previously performed by your spleen. You can be active without a spleen, but you're at increased risk of becoming sick or getting serious infections. This risk is highest shortly after surgery.

Can you drink with no spleen?

You should not eat or drink anything the morning of surgery. Your doctor will give you complete instructions. Before surgery, you will be given drugs or a vaccine to prevent bacterial infections from developing after the spleen is removed.

How does losing your spleen affect you?

Because your spleen is important for your body's defence against germs, when your spleen is removed or doesn't work properly you are at higher risk of infection, particularly from certain types of bacteria.

How big is the incision for spleen removal?

Your surgeon frees the spleen from all of its surrounding attachments. One incision is eventually extended to approximately 2 cm to place the “stapler” to control the blood supply (splenic artery and vein) of the organ.

Can your spleen grow back after being removed?

Spleen can regenerate through various mechanisms. Autotransplantation of splenic tissue after traumatic disruption of the splenic capsule is well recognized. Splenic tissue can lodge anywhere in the peritoneal cavity following traumatic disruption and regenerates under favourable conditions.

Is having no spleen a disability?

38 C.F.R. § 4.7. Under Diagnostic Code 7706, a splenectomy warrants a 20 percent disability rating. This diagnostic code also provides the instruction to rate complications such as systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria separately.

What is the most common complication of splenectomy?

The most widely recognized long-term risk of splenectomy is overwhelming bacterial infection. More recently, thrombosis has become appreciated as another potential complication of the procedure.

What is the most common complication of splenectomy?

The most widely recognized long-term risk of splenectomy is overwhelming bacterial infection. More recently, thrombosis has become appreciated as another potential complication of the procedure.

What type of doctor removes a spleen?

A general surgeon or pediatric surgeon performs a splenectomy. General surgeons specialize in the surgical treatment of a wide variety of diseases, disorders and conditions, including the surgical treatment on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or digestive system.

Why would you need spleen removed?

Hypersplenism: An enlarged spleen may become overactive, destroying too many blood cells and platelets. Trauma: Although many cases can be treated without removal, splenectomy can be necessary if bleeding can't be controlled. Infection: Abscess of the spleen is very rare, but can be a reason to remove your spleen.

Is having no spleen a disability?

38 C.F.R. § 4.7. Under Diagnostic Code 7706, a splenectomy warrants a 20 percent disability rating. This diagnostic code also provides the instruction to rate complications such as systemic infections with encapsulated bacteria separately.

What to do after spleen removal?

After surgery, the doctor will prescribe daily antibiotics to help lower the risk of infections.

Why do you need a spleenectomy?

Below are some reasons for needing a splenectomy. Sickle cell disease—Sickled red blood cells can get trapped in the spleen and damage it. If this happens, the damaged spleen needs to be removed. Other blood diseases—Removing the spleen can improve blood counts.

What is the spleen?

Your spleen is an organ on the left side of your body, under your ribs. A healthy spleen is about the size of a fist. The spleen has 2 jobs:

How do I prepare for my child’s splenectomy?

Your child’s health care team will talk with you about the risks and benefits of removing the spleen. You will also meet with members of the surgery team to discuss how the surgery is done and to get instructions for the day of the surgery. At least 2 weeks before surgery, your child will get any needed vaccines. The St. Jude Child Life staff can also help your child understand what will happen during surgery.

How long is the surgery, and what is the recovery like?

Removing the spleen takes 2 to 4 hours. It is usually done through one (1) or more very small incisions (cuts) in the belly. This makes recovery faster and less painful than for surgery with one (1) big incision.

What happens if your spleen is too large?

Enlarged spleen—If the spleen gets too large, it can break open and cause life-threatening bleeding.

What is the number to call for splenectomy?

To learn more about having a splenectomy, call the St. Jude Hematology Clinic at 901-595-5041. If you have an urgent need after hours or on weekends or holidays, please call the main St. Jude number at 901-595-3300 and ask to speak to the hematologist on call.

What happens after spleen removal?

After spleen removal, you're more likely to contract serious or life-threatening infections. Your doctor may recommend that you receive vaccines against pneumonia, influenza, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningococci. He or she may also recommend that you take preventive antibiotics, especially if you have other conditions that increase your risk of serious infections.

Why do doctors remove the spleen?

Your doctor may also remove your spleen to help diagnose a condition, especially if you have an enlarged spleen and he or she can't determine why.

How does a laparoscopic splenectomy work?

During laparoscopic splenectomy, the surgeon makes four small incisions in your abdomen. He or she then inserts a tube with a tiny video camera into your abdomen through one of the incisions. Your surgeon watches the video images on a monitor and removes the spleen with special surgical tools that are put in the other three incisions. Then he or she closes the incisions.

Why do you need a spleenectomy?

The most common reason for splenectomy is to treat a ruptured spleen, which is often caused by an abdominal injury. Splenectomy may be used to treat other conditions, including an enlarged spleen that is causing discomfort (splenomegaly), some blood disorders, certain cancers, infection, and noncancerous cysts or tumors.

How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic surgery?

After you go home. Talk to your doctor about how long to wait until resuming your daily activities. If you had laparoscopic surgery, it may be two weeks. After open surgery, it may be six weeks.

Can a ruptured spleen cause internal bleeding?

Ruptured spleen. If your spleen ruptures due to a severe abdominal injury or because of an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), the result may be life-threatening, internal bleeding. Enlarged spleen. Splenectomy may be done to ease the symptoms of an enlarged spleen, which include pain and a feeling of fullness. Blood disorder.

Can you be active without a spleen?

You can be active without a spleen, but you're at increased risk of becoming sick or getting serious infections. This risk is highest shortly after surgery. People without a spleen may also have a harder time recovering from an illness or injury.

What is the procedure to remove a spleen?

Open splenectomy. A traditional open surgery involves making a cut down the center of your abdomen. The surgeon then moves aside other tissues to remove your spleen. The incision is then closed with stitches. Open surgery is preferred if you have scar tissue from other surgeries or if your spleen has ruptured.

How does a laparoscopic splenectomy work?

In a laparoscopic splenectomy, your surgeon makes just a few small cuts in your abdomen. Then, they use a small camera to project a video of your spleen onto a monitor. Your surgeon can then remove your spleen with small tools. They’ll then stitch up the small incisions.

Why do you need a blood transfusion after spleen removal?

You may also need to get a blood transfusion to ensure that you have enough platelets and red blood cells to endure the surgery and its accompanying blood loss.

What is a spleen that is damaged?

a spleen that’s damaged from injury. an enlarged spleen or ruptured spleen, which can occur from trauma. certain rare blood disorders. cancer or large cysts of the spleen. infection.

What is it called when your spleen is clogged?

This is called hypersplenism, and it leads to a large reduction of healthy blood cells and platelets in your bloodstream. Your spleen becomes clogged, which then begins to interfere with its functioning. An enlarged spleen can cause anemia, infection, and excessive bleeding.

Why do you need a spleenectomy?

If your spleen has ruptured, you may need a splenectomy immediately because of life-threatening internal bleeding. A rupture may be caused by a physical injury, such as being hit by a car, or by an enlargement of your spleen.

What causes a spleen to become enlarged?

Enlarged spleen. A viral infection, such as mononucleosis, or a bacterial infection, such as syphilis, can cause your spleen to become enlarged. An enlarged spleen traps an excessive amount of blood cells and platelets. Eventually it traps and destroys healthy red blood cells as well. This is called hypersplenism, ...

What is the surgical removal of the spleen called?

A splenectomy is the surgical removal of your spleen.

Why is the spleen removed?

When the spleen has to be removed -- because of cancer or other diseases -- a surgeon performs a splenectomy.

How is a spleenectomy performed?

In most cases, a splenectomy can be performed laparoscopically if the spleen is not massively enlarged. Under general anesthesia, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to allow your surgeons to see the operative area. Through small incisions, a camera (laparoscope) is placed into the abdomen and the picture is sent to video monitors for the surgeons to watch. Further small operating instruments are used to perform the operation. Your surgeon frees the spleen from all of its surrounding attachments. One incision is eventually extended to approximately 2 cm to place the “stapler” to control the blood supply (splenic artery and vein) of the organ. The now free spleen is placed inside a special bag with a drawstring, which is brought through the largest incision. Using a finger inside the bag, your spleen is broken into smaller pieces. The fragments of your spleen are then sent to pathology for analysis and the bag is removed.

How to remove a spleen that is too large?

If your spleen is too large for laparoscopic removal, it will be removed using an open approach with a single large incision. In addition to spleen size, scar tissue ...

How long does it take to get discharged from a laparoscopic incision?

Once you are able to tolerate a regular diet, move about without difficulty and your pain is under control, you will be discharged home. This usually occurs within two to three days with the laparoscopic technique and five to seven days with an open incision.

What is the camera used in spleen surgery?

Through small incisions, a camera (laparoscope) is placed into the abdomen and the picture is sent to video monitors for the surgeons to watch. Further small operating instruments are used to perform the operation. Your surgeon frees the spleen from all of its surrounding attachments.

What cancers can be removed from the spleen?

Certain cancers: Lymphoma ( Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) is the main such conditions for which your spleen might be removed. Other less common diagnoses, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia and cancers that have spread to the spleen can also be other reasons for having your spleen removed.

Where is the spleen removed?

The surgery is carried out under the influence of general anesthesia. In an open approach the surgeon makes an incision in the middle region of the abdomen, moving the other tissues and muscles aside. Once the spleen is visible surgical instruments go in and the spleen is removed.

What is a spleenectomy?

Splenectomy is a surgical procedure employed to remove the spleen. It is used to treat various diseases and conditions related to spleen.

How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic surgery?

The recovery time for Laparoscopic surgeries is very less and one can return to normal life within days of surgery, but they should avoid heavy lifting. The soreness after the surgery lasts for 48 hours and it can extend up to weeks depending upon the individual. If it’s an open procedure it will take longer for the patient to recover.

How is a laparoscope used in surgery?

Through these incisions a Laparoscope (a Laparoscope is a small instrument with a narrow tube which has light source and camera at the end of the tube) is inserted and using the Laparoscope’s video camera the surgeon is able to locate the affected body part and through the other incisions that are made the damaged/affected (spleen) part is removed with the help of surgical equipment; after this the incisions are sealed using a surgical glue or staples.

What is the best treatment for a severe infection in the spleen?

Infections that are severe in nature and due to which there is collection of pus and formation of abscess in the spleen then, to treat these conditions splenectomy is recommended.

What is it called when the spleen is enlarged?

If that happens there may be internal bleeding, the spleen may also get ruptured if there is an enlargement of the spleen and this condition is called splenomegaly.

Why is blood transfusion done before surgery?

Before the surgery blood transfusion is also carried out so that there are enough blood cells in the body of the patient after the removal of spleen.

How is a spleen removed?

The surgeon makes three or four small cuts in the abdomen, and inserts the laparoscope through one of them. This allows the doctor to look into the abdominal area and locate the spleen. Different medical instruments are passed through the other openings. One of them is used to deliver carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal area, which pushes nearby organs out of the way and gives your surgeon more room to work. The surgeon disconnects the spleen from surrounding structures and the body's blood supply, and then removes it through the largest surgical opening. The surgical openings are closed using stitches or sutures.

How does a surgeon remove a spleen?

The surgeon disconnects the spleen from surrounding structures and the body's blood supply, and then removes it through the largest surgical opening. The surgical openings are closed using stitches or sutures. Sometimes during laparoscopic splenectomy the doctor has to switch to the open procedure.

Who Needs a Splenectomy?

You may need to have your spleen removed if you have an injury that damages the organ, causing its covering to break open , or rupture. A ruptured spleen can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding. Common injury-related causes of a ruptured spleen include car accidents and severe blows to the abdomen during contact sports, such as football or hockey.

Why do ITP patients need to have their spleen removed?

The spleen is involved in making these antibodies and removing the platelets from the blood. Removing the spleen can be done to help treat the condition. Other common reasons a person may need a spleen removal include:

What causes a spleen to rupture?

Common injury-related causes of a ruptured spleen include car accidents and severe blows to the abdomen during contact sports , such as football or hockey. A splenectomy may also be recommended if you have cancer involving the spleen or certain diseases that affect blood cells.

What is the procedure to remove the spleen?

Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on January 23, 2020. A splenectomy is surgery to remove the entire spleen, a delicate, fist-sized organ that sits under the left rib cage near the stomach. The spleen is an important part of the body's defense (immune) system. It contains special white blood cells that destroy bacteria and help ...

Why does my spleen stop working?

In some cases, an illness, such as sickle cell disease, can cause the spleen to shrivel up and stop functioning. This is called an auto-splenectomy. The most common disease-related reason for a spleen removal is a blood disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

What does the spleen do after removal?

Your spleen performs a couple of helpful functions: It helps fight off germs in the blood stream. If controls the numbers of white blood cells, red ...

How long after spleen removal can you get infection?

Your greatest risk for a severe infection after spleen removal is in the first two years after surgery, but your risk still remains above average even after that period. Here’s a look at some steps you’ll want to consider taking to reduce your risks of complications after your spleen is removed: Always alert doctors, dentists ...

Why are people without a spleen at a greater risk of infection?

For starters, individuals without a spleen are at a greater risk of severe infection because their body will have a diminished healthy blood cell count. How much likelier you are to contract a severe infection depends on a number of different factors, like your age, weight and overall health.

What happens if your spleen is damaged?

If your spleen is damaged or improperly functioning, it can lead to a reduction in the number of healthy blood cells in the body, the inability to fight off foreign invaders as easily, or the accidental removal of healthy red blood cells from the blood stream.

Is spleen removal the same as life after surgery?

Life After Spleen Removal Surgery. Your spleen is a non-essential organ, but that doesn’t mean everything will be exactly the same after you undergo spleen surgery. There’s are a number of things you need to be mindful of and adjust in your daily life in order to thrive without a spleen.

Overview

• Splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your spleen. The spleen is an organ that sits under your rib cage on the upper left side of your abdomen. It helps fight infection and filters unneeded material, such as old or damaged blood cells, from your blood. The most common reason for splenectomy is to treat a ruptured spleen, which is often caus...

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