The spleen is an organ typically present in the upper far left side of the abdomen, to the stomach’s left. The size and shape of the spleen vary between people. But usually, it is fist-shaped and about 4 inches in length. The rib cage protects the spleen, so we can not feel it unless it is enlarged abnormally. The spleen is a part of the immune system and fights off infections while filtering damaged and old cells out of the bloodstream. People need a splenectomy if it is infected or injured.
What does the spleen do for the body?
The spleen does different things for the body, such as,
- It has infection-fighting white blood cells that fight germs in the blood.
- Controls the number of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets)
- It removes the damaged and old red blood cells by screening them.
What happens when the spleen does not work correctly?
If the spleen fails to work correctly, it usually starts to remove healthy cells from the blood. And this removal of healthy blood cells leads to the following:
- Anaemia is caused due to reduced number of red blood cells.
- Risk of infection due to the reduced number of white blood cells
- Bruising and bleeding due to reduced number of platelets
Common issues of spleen
Ruptured spleen
The spleen can become damaged or rupture due to a forceful blow to the abdomen, accident or fracture to the ribs. People need a splenectomy for a ruptured spleen. Spleen rupture can happen straight away, or it may occur weeks after the injury. Signs that indicate spleen rupture are:
- Pain and tenderness behind the left ribs
- Rapid heart rate and dizziness
Spleen rupture is a medical emergency as it causes excessive bleeding.
Treatment for a ruptured spleen
There are two effective treatments for a ruptured spleen.
- Intensive hospital care for several days
- Surgery
A splenectomy is usually the only viable solution if the spleen is severely damaged or doctors cannot stop the bleeding. In some patients with a blunt spleen injury, surgical treatment for spleen removal is necessary. However, in other cases, surgeons take a more conservative approach. That is several days at the hospital and regular testing to assess the condition of the spleen.
Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly or an enlarged spleen can happen after an infection or injury. The spleen can also enlarge due to cirrhosis, leukemia, thalassaemia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Some symptoms of an enlarged spleen are:
- Feeling complete quickly after eating
- Discomfort or pain behind the left ribs
- Fatigue or anemia
- Excessive bleeding
In the case of splenomegaly, the spleen is not usually removed. But instead, the doctors monitor it closely and treat the underlying condition. Doctors also prescribe antibiotics for the infection.
People with splenomegaly should avoid contact sports for a while, as they are at greater risk of rupturing the spleen. A splenectomy is necessary if the splenomegaly is causing severe complications.
Splenectomy
Splenectomy is a surgical method of spleen removal. The most common reason for splenectomy is to treat a ruptured spleen. However, people need a splenectomy to treat conditions such as an enlarged spleen, blood disorders, cancers, infections and non-cancerous tumours.
Types of splenectomy
There are two methods to perform a splenectomy: traditional open surgery and minimally invasive laparoscopic.
Open splenectomy
A traditional open surgical method involves an incision down the abdomen’s centre. After cutting, the surgeons move aside the tissues to easily remove the spleen. After taking out the spleen, the surgeons closed the cut with stitches. Surgeons prefer open splenectomy if the patient has scar tissue from previous surgery or the spleen has ruptured.
Laparoscopic splenectomy
This type of surgical procedure is minimally invasive. Laparoscopic splenectomy also has a quicker and less painful recovery time than open splenectomy. In a laparoscopic splenectomy, the surgeons make a few small cuts in the abdomen and use a small camera to see the spleen onto a monitor. After inserting the camera, the surgeons remove the spleen using small tools. At the end of the procedure, they stitch up the small cuts. Sometimes surgeons may decide an open surgical procedure is required or a laparoscopic one after viewing the spleen on the camera.
Benefits of laparoscopic splenectomy
There are many benefits of laparoscopic splenectomies, such as:
- The patients experience less pain after the surgery.
- The stay of patients at the hospital is very short because laparoscopic splenectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
- After the procedure, the patients recover quickly and return to a regular diet.
- Laparoscopic splenectomy has minimal scarring due to a few cuts.
- This surgical procedure has fewer chances of hernia.
Spleen removal surgery cost in Lahore
ALSA Pakistan offers the best surgery for spleen removal for people who need a splenectomy. People need a splenectomy for many reasons, such as the ruptured spleen, splenomegaly, hereditary spherocytosis and thalassemia. Spleen removal at ALSA is cheap and the best in Lahore. Spleen removal surgery cost in Lahore ranges between 250k to 300k, which is quite affordable. Experienced surgeons at ALSA provide the best possible care to patients with the assistance of trained staff. We have top-notch medical equipment and a comfortable environment that helps with the recovery of the patients.
Advantages of the spleen removal
Removing the spleen is a major surgical procedure, leaving patients with a compromised immune system. For this reason, surgeons perform splenectomy when it is truly necessary. The advantage of spleen removal is that it can resolve many health conditions, such as blood disorders, cancers and infections.
Recovery after splenectomy
Recovery from splenectomy depends on the technique used in the surgery. After the surgery, the patients go home in about three days in case of laparoscopic splenectomy. And the patients stay in the hospital for as long as weeks after open surgery. The recovery also depends greatly on the healing, pain management, and complications patients have after the surgery such as bleeding and infections.
