Where are splenectomy incisions?
During open splenectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the middle of your abdomen and moves aside muscle and other tissue to reveal your spleen.
How big is the incision for a splenectomy?
Your surgeon frees the spleen from all of its surrounding attachments. One incision is eventually extended to approximately 2 cm to place the “stapler” to control the blood supply (splenic artery and vein) of the organ.
How long does it take to heal from spleen removal?
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.
Can the spleen be removed by keyhole surgery?
A splenectomy, or spleen removal is a surgical procedure that removes the entire spleen. Surgery can be performed as a traditional open surgery or laparoscopically (minimally invasive keyhole surgery).
What organs take over after a splenectomy?
After splenectomy, the functions of the spleen are usually taken up by other organs, such as the liver, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Up to 30% of people have a second spleen (called as accessory spleen), these are usually very small but may grow and function when the main spleen is removed.
Is a splenectomy 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 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.
What to expect after your spleen is removed?
After a splenectomy, you are likely to have pain for several days. You may also feel like you have influenza (flu). You may have a low fever and feel tired and nauseated. This is common.