What is a splenectomy?
A splenectomy refers to taking out the spleen in surgery. Removing
part of the spleen is called a partial splenectomy. Removing all of
the spleen is called a total splenectomy.
What is a spleen?
The spleen is an organ that is located on the upper left side of
the abdomen. About the size of a fist, the spleen is important
because it helps fight infection in the body by filtering the
blood. Another function is the storage of blood cells. The spleen
keeps blood flowing to the liver.
Why would you need to have your spleen removed?
A splenectomy is recommended as a treatment for some conditions
that cause hypersplenism and might be recommended as a treatment
for others. Hypersplenism is not a disease itself, but is more of a
syndrome, or a collection of symptoms. It means that the spleen has
become overactive, enlarged, and is storing and destroying too many
blood cells and platelets.
When is a splenectomy recommended?
There are two reasons that a spleen is always removed: to treat
primary cancers of the spleen and to treat a disease called
hereditary spherocytosis.
Hereditary spherocystosis (HS) is an inherited disease that
involves the lack of ankylin, a specific protein, and the formation
of abnormally-shaped red blood cells, called spherocytes.
Spherocytes do not move as easily as they should and end up staying
longer in the spleen. This almost always increases the size of the
spleen. An enlarged spleen is called splenomegaly. The cells
eventually become damaged and results in anemia and jaundice.
Children with HS are given folic acid supplements on a daily basis.
The spleen is removed after a child reaches the age of five.
Other conditions that are often treated with splenectomy
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a disease in which
antibodies kill off platelets. The reason that the antibodies form
is not known.
- Trauma, such as injury due to an auto accident
- Spleen with an abscess (collection of pus due to
infection)
- Splenic artery rupture, possible during pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease (a blood disorder that is characterized by
sickle-shaped, rather than disc-shaped, red blood cells)
- Thalassemia (inherited blood disorder resulting in inadequate
hemoglobin production)
How are spleen disorders diagnosed?
- Blood tests
- Physical examination (an enlarged spleen may be felt by your
doctor)
- Imaging tests such as ultrasounds, X-rays, magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), or computerized tomography (CT) scans
- Bone marrow tissue biopsy