- How to prepare for surgery
- When surgery is indicated
- How the spleen is removed
- Risks and possible complications of surgery
- Care for those who removed the spleen
Splenectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the spleen, which is an organ located in the abdominal cavity and is responsible for producing, storing and eliminating some substances from the blood, in addition to producing antibodies and maintaining the body's balance, avoiding infections.
The main indication for splenectomy is when there is some damage or rupture of the arm, however, this surgery can also be recommended in cases of blood disorders, some types of cancer or due to the presence of non-malignant cysts or tumors. Surgery is usually done by laparoscopy, in which small holes are made in the abdomen to remove the organ, which makes the scar very small and the recovery faster.
How to prepare for surgery
Before splenectomy, the doctor recommends performing blood tests and ultrasound or tomography in order to assess the person's general condition and the presence of other changes, such as gallstones, for example. In addition, administration of vaccines and antibiotics may be recommended weeks before the procedure, to reduce the risk of infections.
When surgery is indicated
The main indication for the removal of the spleen is when a rupture in this organ is verified due to abdominal trauma. However, other indications for splenectomy are:
- Spleen cancer; Spontaneous rupture of the spleen, in case of leukemia, mainly; Spherocytosis; Sickle cell anemia; Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; Splenic abscess; Congenital hemolytic anemia; Hodgkin's lymphoma stage.
According to the degree of alteration of the spleen and the risk that this alteration may represent to the person, the doctor may indicate partial or total removal of the organ.
How the spleen is removed
In most cases, laparoscopy is indicated, with 3 small holes in the abdomen, through which tubes and instruments necessary for the removal of the spleen pass, without having to make a large cut. The patient needs general anesthesia and the surgery takes an average of 3 hours, being hospitalized for about 2 to 5 days.
This surgical technique is less invasive and, therefore, causes less pain and the scar is smaller, making recovery and return to day-to-day activities faster. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to have open surgery, with a larger cut.
Risks and possible complications of surgery
After surgery to remove the spleen, it is normal for the patient to experience pain and some limitation to perform day-to-day activities alone, needing help from a family member to perform hygiene care, for example. Laparoscopy surgery, despite being considered safe, can bring complications such as hematoma, bleeding or pleural effusion. However, open surgery can bring more risks.
Care for those who removed the spleen
After removal of the spleen, the body's ability to fight infections is diminished and other organs, especially the liver, increase its ability to produce antibodies to fight infections and protect the body. Thus, the skin is more prone to develop infections by Pneumococcus, meningococcus and Haemophilus influenzae, and therefore it should:
- Take multipurpose vaccines against Pneumococcus and conjugate vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae type B and meningococcus type C, between 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery; Get the pneumococcal vaccine every 5 years (or at shorter intervals in case of sickle cell anemia or lymphoproliferative diseases); Take low-dose antibiotics for life or take benzathine penicillin every 3 weeks.
In addition, it is also important to eat healthy, avoiding foods high in sugar and fat, exercising regularly, avoiding sudden changes in temperature to avoid colds and flu, and not taking medications without medical advice.
