Splenectomy

Surgery to remove the spleen

You may need an operation to remove your spleen, known as a splenectomy, if it’s not working properly or it’s damaged, diseased or enlarged.

Sometimes just part of your spleen can be removed, which is called a partial splenectomy.

If there’s time, you’ll be advised to have certain vaccinations before the splenectomy. This is because spleen removal weakens your immune system and can make you more likely to get an infection.

Laparoscopy

Most operations to remove spleens are carried out using keyhole surgery (laparoscopy)

Keyhole spleen removal allows a surgeon to get inside your tummy (abdomen) to your spleen without having to make large cuts.

This means you’ll have less scarring and may recover from the operation more quickly. But you’ll still need a general anaesthetic.

The procedure involves:

  • making several small cuts in your tummy
  • guiding a laparoscope into your body through one of the cuts so doctors can see what they’re doing
  • passing thin instruments into your tummy through the other cuts to remove your spleen (gas will be pumped into your tummy to make this easier)

The cuts are then stitched up or sometimes glued together. 

You may be able to go home the same day, or you may need to stay in hospital overnight.

Open surgery

Open splenectomy is where one large cut is made. It may be needed if your spleen is too large or too damaged to be removed using keyhole surgery. Often, in emergencies, this is the preferred method.

You’ll need a general anaesthetic and may need to stay in hospital for a few days to recover.

Recovering from spleen surgery

It’s normal to feel sore and be bruised after a splenectomy, but you’ll be given pain relief.

You should be able to eat and drink as normal soon after the operation.

Like any operation, spleen removal carries a small risk of complications, including bleeding and infection.

Your doctor will talk through these risks with you.

You should be given breathing and leg exercises to do at home to reduce your risk of getting a blood clot or a chest infection.

Another risk is the surgical wound becoming infected. If you spot any signs of infection, contact your GP or hospital immediately, as you may need antibiotics.

Recovery usually takes a few weeks. Your doctor or nurse will advise when you can go back to your usual activities, such as driving.

Living without a spleen

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.

After a splenectomy, young children have a higher risk of serious infection than adults, but the risk is still small.

The risk is also increased if you have a health condition like sickle cell anaemia or coeliac disease, or a health condition that affects your immune system, like HIV.

This risk can be minimised by following simple precautions to prevent infection.

Vaccinations

Check with your GP surgery that you have had all your routine childhood vaccinations.

You should also be vaccinated against:

Antibiotics

It’s recommended that you take low-dose antibiotics for the rest of your life to prevent bacterial infections.

Antibiotics are particularly important:

  • for children under the age of 16
  • for the first 2 years after your spleen is removed
  • if your immune system does not work properly

Be alert for signs of infection

See a doctor as soon as possible if you get signs of an infection.

Signs of infection include:

  • a high temperature
  • a sore throat
  • a cough
  • a severe headache
  • a headache with drowsiness or a rash
  • abdominal pain
  • redness and swelling around the surgical wound

Your doctor can prescribe a course of antibiotics for you to use if you get an infection.

If your infection becomes serious, you may be admitted to hospital.

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