Splenectomy
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 your body fight infections when you are sick. It also makes red blood cells and helps remove, or filter, old ones from the body's circulation.
If only part of the spleen is removed, the procedure is called a partial splenectomy.
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A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia. The most common types are inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision), femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach). In an inguinal hernia, the intestine or the bladder protrudes through the abdominal wall or into the inguinal canal in the groin. About 80% of all hernias are inguinal, and most occur in men...
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Unlike some other organs, like the liver, the spleen does not grow back (regenerate) after it is removed.
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 motor vehicle 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. Certain conditions can cause the spleen to swell, making the organ more fragile and susceptible to rupture. In some cases, an illness, such as severe lupus and 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). ITP is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies target blood platelets. Platelets are needed to help blood to clot, so a person with ITP is at risk for bleeding. 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:
Blood disorders:
- Hereditary elliptocytosis (ovalocytosis)
- Hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Thalassemia (Mediterranean anemia)
Blood vessel problems:
- Aneurysm in the spleen's artery
- Blood clot in the spleen's blood vessels
Cancer:
- Leukemia, a blood cancer that affects cells that help the body fight infections.
- Certain types of lymphoma, a cancer that affects cells that help the body fight infections.
Other:
- Cyst or abscess (collection of pus) in the spleen
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