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SALT LAKE CITY — While the spleen is an organ that plays an important role in the filtration of your body's blood, there are a few reasons a doctor would opt to remove it. While you can live without the organ, removal does put you at risk for other complications.
Your spleen is about the size of your fist and is located on the upper-left part of your abdomen. The organ is directly related to the lymphatic system, so when your blood is circulating through your body, it will pass through your spleen for an extra filtering.
A person who has his spleen removed will always need to take caution when an infection or virus is present, as removal does weaken the immune system.
One common reason for spleen removal is because of trauma to or laceration of the organ. It should not be the doctor's first choice, but removal may be the only option to stop the bleeding.
Another common reason for removal is an enlarged spleen. In this case, the concern is typically focused on an underlying condition like leukemia or malaria. Again, removing the spleen is not the first choice, rather it should be the last choice in treatment of the underlying disease.
Symptoms of spleen enlargement include:
- Pain or tenderness in the upper-left abdomen, which can spread to your left shoulder.
- A regular feeling of being full without eating.
- A low blood count, also called anemia.
- Fatigue.
- Frequent, unexplained infection.
- Prone to easy bleeding.
In some cases there is no symptom at all, and the enlarged spleen will be identified by a doctor in a routine exam or visit for another problem.
Sometimes a cause behind the enlargement is not found, and that can be very frustrating for both the patient and the medical staff. It is obviously easier to treat a known disease than it is to treat an unknown cause.
Treatment for an enlarged spleen should be as follows:
- Treat the underlying cause, or disease.
- Save removal of the organ as a last option.
- Upon removal, patients need:
- Vaccinations, both before and after the splenectomy; vaccines should include those that protect against pneumonia, meningitis and infections of the blood, bones and joints.
- Penicillin or other antibiotics, both after your operation and anytime you or your doctor suspects the possibility of an infection (i.e. when going to the dentist for oral care).
- To avoid travel to parts of the world where dangerous diseases reside.
An enlarged spleen is a serious matter and needs to be treated. A ruptured spleen is an emergency and can lead to death if not treated immediately.
If you have concerns about the health of any part of your abdomen, consult with a doctor as soon as you can.
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.
