The spleen in the human body performs very important functions, but people without a medical education know little about them. Fill in the blanks. Many have heard of an operation called splenectomy. But what does she mean? And what happens after her? This is unknown to them. Therefore, they ask such a question to the surgeon.
Splenectomy is a surgical procedure involving
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 body 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 due to severe bleeding. Organ removal is required for idiopathic
thrombocytopenic purpura, cysts, abscesses, spleen tumors, pathologies of its vessels (arterial aneurysm, vascular thrombosis).
Finally, for blood diseases such as thalassemia, hereditary hemolytic anemia, lymphomas, leukemia, hereditary spherocytosis, spleen removal is also necessary. The consequences, like any surgical intervention associated with organ harvesting, of course, will be. 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 general postoperative consequences of spleen removal? Any surgical intervention associated with penetration into the abdominal cavity can be complicated by hepatic vein thrombosis, reactive pancreatitis, trauma to the digestive organs (intestines, stomach, pancreas), pneumonia, internal bleeding or peritonitis. There are also problems with the postoperative suture (infection, hernia, prolapse of the internal organs).
What are the specific consequences of spleen removal? 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.
Blood-related consequences of spleen removal
Patients with a removed spleen have some changes in the blood that can persist throughout life. The bodies of Gawell-Jolly and Heinz, nuclear forms of red blood cells, are noted. The shape of these blood cells also changes. Due to the increased platelet count and hypercoagulation (increased coagulation) of the blood, pulmonary embolism and cerebral vessels may 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 manifestation of a drop 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 the plasma. A period of two years after surgery is considered particularly dangerous.