What happens if spleen removed

The recovery time from this procedure is relatively quick and patients may even be able to go home the same day. However, caution will still need to be used and activities like sports will need to stop for a while. While you will most likely never encounter a problem living life without a spleen, it is important to keep in mind that your body may not be as skilled at fighting off serious infections as it once was.

The team at Lane Surgery Group perform splenectomies regularly and with great results. Click below to learn more about our team and facility. I Love Lane Testimonials. What is the Purpose of the Spleen? If you get bitten by an animal, particularly a dog, start your course of antibiotics if you have them with you, and seek medical advice urgently. If you go trekking or camping regularly, you may be at risk of Lyme disease , a disease transmitted by ticks. Healthcare professionals will mark your health records to show that you do not have a working spleen.

If possible, avoid countries where malaria is present. If you cannot avoid them, speak to a GP or local pharmacist about antimalarial medicine before you travel. Page last reviewed: 03 May Next review due: 03 May Spleen problems and spleen removal. What does the spleen do? The spleen has some important functions: it fights invading germs in the blood the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells it controls the level of blood cells white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets it filters the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells Spleen problems The spleen is not working properly If the spleen does not work properly, it may start to remove healthy blood cells.

This can lead to: anaemia , from a reduced number of red blood cells an increased risk of infection, from a reduced number of white blood cells bleeding or bruising, caused by a reduced number of platelets A painful spleen Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen. A damaged or ruptured spleen The spleen can become damaged or may burst rupture after an injury, such as a blow to the abdomen, a car accident, a sporting accident or broken ribs.

Rupture can happen straight away or it may happen weeks after the injury. Signs of a ruptured spleen are: pain behind your left ribs and tenderness when you touch this area dizziness and a rapid heart rate a sign of low blood pressure caused by blood loss Sometimes if you lie down and raise your legs, you can feel the pain at the tip of your left shoulder. A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency, as it can cause life-threatening bleeding. An enlarged spleen The spleen can become swollen after an infection or injury.

An enlarged spleen does not always cause symptoms. Otherwise, look out for: feeling full very quickly after eating an enlarged spleen can press on the stomach feeling discomfort or pain behind your left ribs anaemia and fatigue frequent infections easy bleeding Doctors can often tell if you have an enlarged spleen by feeling your abdomen. 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. Laparoscopy Most operations to remove spleens are carried out using keyhole surgery laparoscopy.

You should talk to your doctor about which antibiotics are best for you. You should avoid the risk of malaria if you travel to tropical countries. You are now also more likely to get infections from dog bites, and to get an infection caused by Babesia, an infection transmitted by deer ticks that is common in the Cape Cod area and Nantucket Island, both in Massachusetts.

Already a member or subscriber? Log in. Interested in AAFP membership? Learn more. This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

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