The surgical procedure to remove the spleen from the body is known as a splenectomy. The spleen is an organ located on the left side of the abdomen that helps the body fight off germs and infections and filters the blood.
SplenectomyYou may hear the term “splenectomy,” which refers to the procedure to remove the spleen. This can be necessary after severe abdominal trauma, such as a car accident, a fall, or a penetrating injury.
A splenectomy may also be needed when the spleen develops certain conditions, such as splenomegaly (an enlarged spleen due to an underlying cause), a tumor, or thrombosis, blood clots in the spleen’s blood vessels.
It may also be necessary to treat certain blood disorders, in which this surgical procedure is part of the overall treatment plan.
Depending on the extent of damage to the spleen, a splenectomy can be either partial, if only part of the organ needs to be removed, or total, if the entire spleen needs to be removed.
There are two ways a splenectomy can be performed:
- Open surgery: a procedure in which an incision is made in the torso to remove part or all of the spleen, after which the wound is closed with sutures or staples.
- Laparoscopy: a minimally invasive surgery that allows for a faster recovery time for the patient.
What Does a Laparoscopic Splenectomy Involve?During a laparoscopic splenectomy, the surgeon makes three or four small incisions in the abdomen, through which surgical instruments are inserted. One of these is the laparoscope, a device with a camera that allows the surgeon to see inside the abdomen.
Using other cutting instruments, the surgeon removes part of the spleen or the entire organ.
Thanks to its minimally invasive nature, laparoscopic splenectomy allows for a less painful and faster recovery compared to open surgery.
Since the spleen isn’t a vital organ, once it’s removed, the body compensates for its functions through other organs, such as the liver. However, without it, the body may take longer to fight off infections.
At ABC Medical Center’s Surgery Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Learn more about splenectomy. Contact us!
