Splenectomy

About Splenectomy

A splenectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove the spleen. The spleen is located behind the stomach to the left side of the liver and functions to help filter blood in the body, destroying red blood cells which are damaged and are no longer needed. The procedure is most commonly performed as an emergency surgery in cases where the spleen has ruptured as a result of trauma or injury. However, many patients may require a splenectomy to treat a tumor or cyst, blood disease, white blood cell deficiency, certain types of cancers, and Gaucher's disease.

Problems with the spleen can be detected with a complete blood count, CT (computerized tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), X-rays, or an ultrasound scan. The surgery can be performed as open surgery or laparoscopic surgery and is usually performed under a general anesthetic. The recovery time varies depending on what type of surgery is performed.

Recommended for Ruptured spleen Blood disease Tumor or cyst in the spleen Chronic lymphocytic leukemia Hodgkin's disease Hairy cell leukemia Time requirements Number of days in hospital 1 - 6 days . Time required in hospital depends on the type of splenectomy performed, most patients can leave on the same day of a laparoscopic splenectomy, whereas patients who have an open splenectomy are discharged 2 to 6 days after surgery. Number of trips abroad needed 1. The spleen is located behind the stomach to the left side of the liver. Time requirements Number of days in hospital 1 - 6 days . Time required in hospital depends on the type of splenectomy performed, most patients can leave on the same day of a laparoscopic splenectomy, whereas patients who have an open splenectomy are discharged 2 to 6 days after surgery. Number of trips abroad needed 1. Time requirements Number of days in hospital 1 - 6 days .

Time required in hospital depends on the type of splenectomy performed, most patients can leave on the same day of a laparoscopic splenectomy, whereas patients who have an open splenectomy are discharged 2 to 6 days after surgery. Number of trips abroad needed 1. The spleen is located behind the stomach to the left side of the liver.,

Before Procedure / Treatment

Patients will meet with the surgeon to discuss the surgery. The surgeon will have assessed the patient's medical history and will discuss which type of surgery, either open or laparoscopic surgery, is best for the patient. The surgeon may request that a blood transfusion is performed ahead of the surgery, so that there is an adequate amount of blood cells in the body after the splenectomy.

As the immune system may be weakened after the surgery, the patient may be given a number of vaccines before the surgery, in order to prevent infection. Patients are usually advised to refrain from eating and drinking ahead of the surgery, in order to prepare for the general anesthetic.,

How it Performed?

The surgery can be performed either as an open surgery or as laparoscopic surgery. Depending on what type of surgery is performed, the patient may be discharged on the same day as surgery. In performing open surgery, the surgeon will begin by making an incision in the middle of the abdomen and moving muscle and tissue to the side to gain access to the spleen.

Once the spleen is located, the surgeon will disconnect the spleen from the diaphragm and colon, the liver is then moved out of the way, as well as the stomach, allowing the surgeon to access the spleen and disconnect it from tissue and blood vessels. The spleen is removed and the incision site is closed with sutures and a sterile dressing is applied. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery and differs from open surgery in how the incision is made. The surgeon will make several small incisions in the abdomen, through which a laparoscope fitted with a light and camera is inserted.

Small surgical instruments are attached to the laparoscope via the other incisions and are used to remove the spleen. The procedure is then performed similarly to open surgery and once the spleen is removed through the incisions, the incisions are closed with sutures and sterile dressings are applied. Anesthesia General anesthetic. The surgery can be performed as open surgery or laparoscopically.,

Recovery

Post procedure care Patients should keep the incision site clean until it has healed. Some patients, particularly children, may need to take low dose antibiotics for the long term to prevent infections.

Possible discomfort; Patients are likely to experience pain and discomfort around the incision and surgical site in the days proceeding the surgery. The doctor will prescribe pain medication to relieve pain.,

Top 10 Hospitals for Splenectomy

Following are the best 10 hospitals for Splenectomy in the world:

Best doctors for Splenectomy

Following are the best doctors for Splenectomy in the world:

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