Splenectomy

The procedure of splenectomy involves removal of the spleen by operative means. The spleen, a large lymph node, has historically held rather a mythical role but current knowledge of its purpose includes the destruction of old red cells and platelets and the detection and fight against certain bacteria.

The spleen is enlarged in a variety of conditions such as malaria, glandular fever and most commonly in "cancers" of the lymphaticss such as lymphomas or the leukaemia.

It is removed under the following circumstances:

1. When very large and become destructive to platelets/red cells
2. For diagnosing certain lymphomas
3. When platelets are destroyed in the spleen as a result of an auto-immune process
4. When the spleen bleeds following trauma
5. Following spontaneous rupture

The classical cause of traumatic damage to the spleen is a motorcycle accident where one end of the handlebars strikes the abdomen.

In general, spleens are removed by laparoscopy (minimal access surgery) when the spleen is not too large and when the procedure is elective. It is performed by open surgery for trauma or large spleens.

Prior to removal of the spleen if possible the patient should be vaccinated against certain bacteria. Failure to do so puts the patient post splenectomy to a condition called OPSI (overwhelming post splenectomy infection). These bacteria often cause a sore throat under normal circumstances but after splenectomy the infection becomes more severe.

Following splenectomy, the platelet count may rise to high levels in blood leading to an increased risk of clot formation.