Can a person live without a spleen? What is the spleen in the human body responsible for? What you can not eat after removal of the spleen

Each organ in our body plays some important role. The spleen is no exception. It is important to note that it plays a large role in the functioning of the immune and hematopoietic systems, which is why any violation in it can affect the whole body as a whole, and then the removal of the organ can be the only right decision. Therefore, the question of whether a person can live without a spleen and how this will affect working capacity worries a lot of people.

In order to get an unambiguous answer, it is necessary to evaluate in more detail the structure and functions of the spleen and find out how the patient’s life can change after its removal.

Spleen structure

The spleen is located on the left side of the abdominal cavity. This is a fairly large unpaired lymphoid organ, which in shape resembles an elongated hemisphere. In its structure, the spleen has two surfaces: the outer convex and the inner concave. The first of them is completely covered with connective tissue. And the second consists of two colors of pulp - white and red.

1. The red part of the pulp consists of venous vessels and is responsible for processing cells of foreign units and monitoring the state of old platelets and red blood cells.
2. The white part is responsible for protecting the immune system from external factors.

Between the red and white parts of the pulp there is an edge zone responsible for the antibacterial protection of humans.

In the human body, the spleen begins to form during uterine development at 6-7 weeks. The development of the organ begins in the form of a cluster of cells in which vessels appear on the 3-5th month, and the outline of the organ is outlined. Throughout life, its structure and composition may change.

Functions of the spleen in the human body

In order to understand in more detail what the consequences may be after splenectomy, it is important to know what the spleen in the human body is responsible for:

1. For metabolic processes of the body - participates in the production of bile, destroying damaged platelets and red blood cells.
2. The spleen is responsible for the production of antibodies to various infections and viruses, as well as for the formation of white blood cells.
3. While the baby is in the womb, the spleen works as an organ of hematopoiesis of the fetus, after the birth of the baby, the bone marrow takes over this function.
4. According to some reports, the spleen is also responsible for the hormonal regulation of the human brain.

Now it is clear what functions the spleen performs in the human body. But what are the consequences of its absence?

Causes of spleen removal

The reasons for removing the spleen can be both external and internal factors, the main of which are:

1. Accidents, injuries during a fall or during sports activities and training.
2. Malignant organ damage.
3. Some varieties of blood cancer.
4. Tuberculosis or purulent lesion of the spleen.
5. Hemolytic or aplastic anemia.
6. Ineffectiveness of drug and hormone therapy.

Risks and consequences of splenectomy

After removal of the spleen, if all medical recommendations are not followed, very serious complications are possible, which in some cases can lead to death of the patient:

1. The development of meningitis, pneumonia and infection with viral infections.
2. The development of pancreatitis, malfunctions and disturbances in the work of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. The formation of a hernia in places of dissection of tissues and infection in the postoperative scar.

The main peak of the development of any complications after removal of the spleen occurs in the first two years after surgery. If the infection is not detected in time and not neutralized in a short time, then this can soon lead to the death of the patient. In connection with the above, it is during this period that any infection should be avoided. But, despite this, the answer to the question of whether a person can live without a spleen is affirmative.

Prediction of survival after spleen removal

Many patients, when prescribed by a splenectomy doctor, are interested in the question of whether a person can live without a spleen. After all, organ transplantation is a very rare and expensive operation, the queues for which are quite large. Also, people are concerned about the question of how much they live after removal of the spleen.

The prognosis of patient survival after organ removal is rather favorable, since such an operation is not critical. In general, a favorable outcome depends on how well and carefully the patient adheres to all the recommendations and advice of the attending physician.

What happens in the body after surgery to remove the spleen

After removal of the spleen in the human body, the following changes occur:

1. Immunity sharply decreases.
2. In the blood plasma, the concentration of proteins decreases, which leads to the fact that a person becomes more susceptible to the ingestion of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and infections.
3. An increase in platelet volume is possible, which leads to a risk of developing thromboembolism, and therefore, the patient is injected with drugs that thin the blood immediately after the operation.
4. The number of white blood cells in his blood increases sharply.

All changes that occur after removal of the spleen are eliminated with the help of drug therapy during the rehabilitation period. And after some time, all indicators are normalizing again.

Features of the patient's life after removal of the spleen

After removal of the spleen, the patient begins a recovery period, which can last from 1 to 3 months. The doctor, both before and after the operation, must explain to the patient how to live without a spleen, tell which diet to sit on and list in detail the list of prohibited foods and actions. The patient, in turn, should be under the regular supervision of a doctor and unquestioningly follow all his recommendations. Only in this way can most of the unpleasant consequences and complications after the operation be avoided.

1. After surgery to remove the spleen, you can not take a hot bath.
2. All severe physical exertion should be excluded.
3. The patient should avoid visiting a large crowd of people, and not contact people with a viral or bacterial infection. As a rule, at the first symptoms of a disease, do not leave everything to chance and do not self-medicate, but immediately consult your doctor.
4. In the cold season, vitamins and immunostimulants should be taken to prevent the development of colds. Avoid hypothermia.

Due to the fact that after removal of the spleen, the liver is double-burdened, the patient throughout the rest of his life needs to sit on a strict diet. Nutrition should be balanced and easily digestible. Eat often and in small portions, avoid overeating. After removal of the spleen, the patient is allowed the following products:

• lean meats;
• dairy and dairy products;
• fresh and boiled vegetables and fruits in large quantities;
• cereals;
• seafood.

A person should drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid per day. You can drink weak black tea, fruit drinks, compote, rose hips, boiled or mineral water without gas.

Several times a year, as prescribed by a doctor, choleretic drugs should be taken to avoid stagnation of bile in the body. With each meal, an adequate amount of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins must be supplied to the body. All food consumed should be boiled, baked or steamed.

What you can not eat after removal of the spleen

After the operation to remove the spleen, the liver takes over all its functions. The patient must follow a strict diet to prevent overstrain of this body and others responsible for the proper functioning of the digestive system. It is important that after splenectomy, the nutrition is gentle and balanced, therefore, when compiling the menu, it is necessary to introduce only healthy products into the diet. The patient should know that you can not eat after removal of the spleen:

• coffee and products containing caffeine;
• canned and pickled products;
• seasonings, especially sharp;
• solid food;
• fatty meats;
• fried and too high-calorie foods, food cooked in fast-food items.

In addition, the patient should abandon the use of any type of alcohol and tobacco products.

Give or not disability after removal of the spleen

Does disability give after removal of the spleen? This question is equally of interest to both those who are just ahead of surgery to remove the organ, and those who have already experienced all this. This operation is not a reason for disability. The organ, although it plays an important role in the human body, is not at the same time vital. The only thing a patient can expect after splenectomy is the percentage of disability, but even if there are some very serious circumstances, namely complications and consequences in the postoperative period.

Based on all of the above, we can positively answer the question of whether a person can live without a spleen. And without this body you can live a long, dignified life. The most important thing is to abandon all bad habits in time and carefully monitor your health.