Can you remove a spleen laparoscopically?

Laparoscopic splenectomy. Your surgeon watches the video images on a monitor and removes the spleen with special surgical tools that are put in the other three incisions. Then he or she closes the incisions. Laparoscopic splenectomy isn’t appropriate for everyone. A ruptured spleen usually requires open splenectomy.

What would be a consequence of removal of the 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.

How long does a laparoscopic splenectomy surgery take?

How long is the surgery, and what is the recovery like? Removing the spleen takes 2 to 4 hours. It is usually done through one (1) or more very small incisions (cuts) in the belly.

How long does it take to recover from removal of spleen?

Recovering from surgery takes 4 to 8 weeks. You may have some of these symptoms as you recover: Pain around the incision for a few weeks. This pain should lessen over time.

Does a splenectomy affect life expectancy?

Although the series of patients is small, it seems that splenectomy did not have an adverse effect on life expectancy. The haematological status and the quality of life improved after splenectomy in 17 of 19 patients.

Can you live a long life without a spleen?

You can live without a spleen. But because the spleen plays a crucial role in the body’s ability to fight off bacteria, living without the organ makes you more likely to develop infections, especially dangerous ones such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae.

Is spleen removal a major surgery?

Removing your spleen is a major surgery and leaves you with a compromised immune system. For these reasons, it’s only performed when truly necessary. The benefits of a splenectomy are that it can resolve several health issues such as blood diseases, cancer, and infection that could not be treated any other way.

How is the spleen removed from the body?

The surgeon makes an incision across the middle or left side of the abdomen underneath the rib cage. After locating the spleen, the surgeon disconnects it from the body’s blood supply and then removes it. The surgical openings are closed using stitches or sutures .

How are the incisions for a splenectomy made?

Laparoscopic splenectomy. During laparoscopic splenectomy, the surgeon makes four small incisions in your abdomen. He or she then inserts a tube with a tiny video camera into your abdomen through one of the incisions.

Who is considered for an open spleenctomy?

Patients with a very large or swollen spleen, or who are obese or have scar tissue in the spleen area from a previous operation. are considered for an open splenectomy. How is an open splenectomy performed?

What are the pros and cons of having a spleen removed?

Long-term outlook for spleen removal. If you’ve had your spleen removed, however, you’ll always be more susceptible to certain infections and you may need vaccinations and prophylactic antibiotics for the rest of your life. The rise of antibiotic resistance makes prophylactic antibiotics controversial.