The spleen in the human body performs very important functions, but people without medical education know little about them. Let's fill in the gaps. Many have heard of an operation called a splenectomy. But what does she mean? And what happens after it? This is unknown to them. So they ask the surgeon this question.
Splenectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the spleen. Since we do not have unnecessary parts of the body, it is carried out according to indications. Most often, the cause is traumatic damage to the organ as a result of a traffic accident, a fall from a height, or strong blows to the stomach. Since the spleen is very well supplied with blood, its ruptures are dangerous for the occurrence of severe bleeding. Removal of the organ is required for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, cysts, abscesses, tumors of the spleen, pathologies of its vessels (arterial aneurysm, vascular thrombosis).
Finally, with blood diseases such as thalassemia, hereditary hemolytic anemia, lymphomas, leukemias, hereditary spherocytosis, alsoremoval of the spleen is necessary. Of course, there will be consequences, as with any surgical intervention associated with the extraction of an organ. And it is better to consider them in accordance with the division into two large groups: complications of the operation itself and specific disorders caused by the loss of the functional activity of the organ.
What are the common postoperative effects of spleen removal? Any surgical intervention involving penetration into the abdominal cavity may be complicated by hepatic vein thrombosis, reactive pancreatitis, trauma to the digestive organs (intestine, stomach, pancreas), pneumonia, internal bleeding, or peritonitis. There are also problems with the postoperative suture (infection, hernia, prolapse of internal organs).
What are the specific consequences of removing the spleen? In order to get an answer to this question, you need to remember what functions this part of our body performs. The spleen is one of the components of the immune system, contains a large number of white blood cells, and antibodies are also synthesized in it. The organ is the site of destruction of red blood cells and platelets.
Consequences of removal of the spleen associated with blood
Spleen-removed patients have some blood changes that may persist for life. Govell-Jolly and Heinz bodies, nuclear forms of erythrocytes are noted. The shape of these blood cells also changes. Due to increased platelet count and hypercoagulability (increased clotting ability)thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery and cerebral vessels can be observed.
Immune disorders as a consequence of spleen removal
One of the most serious complications is the tendency of patients to purulent infectious diseases. Since the body's immune defenses are weakened, any infection can lead to sepsis and death. What is the decline in immunity? A decrease in the synthesis of immunoglobulins, a disorder of phagocytic function, a decrease in the amount of complement and other protective proteins in plasma. The period within two years after the operation is considered especially dangerous.
