Splenectomy
A splenectomy is the removal of the spleen, which is an organ in the upper left abdomen that sits directly underneath the rib cage.
The spleen functions as a filter for your blood and helps to fight germs and infections in the body. A splenectomy is often required for surgical treatment of hematologic blood disorders or other diseases of the spleen.
Conditions that may require removal of the spleen
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Hypersplenism
- Leukemia and lymphoma
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Abscess or cyst the spleen
In many cases splenectomy can be performed laparoscopically with small incisions in the abdomen. Specialized tools and a small camera are inserted into your stomach to remove the spleen. If the spleen is too large, an open procedure will be required. A hospital stay of several days will be required following the procedure.