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Splenectomy
Category: General & Abdominal Surgery · All general & abdominal surgery
What it is
A splenectomy is removal of the spleen, an organ under the left ribs that filters blood and supports immunity. It is commonly done by keyhole surgery unless the spleen is very enlarged or it is an emergency after injury.
Why it is done
Reasons include rupture from injury, certain blood disorders (such as immune thrombocytopenia or hereditary spherocytosis), some lymphomas and other blood cancers, and occasionally cysts or tumours of the spleen.
How to prepare
Because the spleen helps fight certain infections, vaccinations are arranged before planned surgery where possible (or afterwards), and blood tests and scans are done. You fast before the operation.
What happens during the procedure
Under general anaesthetic, the spleen's blood vessels are sealed and divided and the spleen is removed, often in a bag through a slightly enlarged keyhole cut. Surgery takes one to two hours typically.
Afterwards — recovery & results
Stay is usually two to four days after keyhole surgery. You will be advised about lifelong infection precautions: keeping vaccinations up to date, possibly penicillin tablets, and seeking prompt help for fevers. Many patients carry a medical alert card.
Risks & considerations
Risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, injury to the pancreas tail (which lies next to the spleen), and the long-term risk of overwhelming infection, which vaccinations and vigilance keep low but not zero. Your team will give you a written plan.
Watch: Splenectomy videos
Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need vaccines for spleen removal?
Without a spleen, certain bacterial infections can become severe very quickly. Vaccines against those bacteria, plus prompt treatment of fevers, are the main protection.
Will my blood counts change?
Platelet counts often rise after splenectomy, which is sometimes the aim of surgery in blood disorders. Your haematology team monitors this.
Related procedures — General & Abdominal Surgery
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