Spleen Surgery & Splenectomy
Spleen Surgery and Splenectomy in Boulder, CO
The spleen aids the body in its fight against germs and infection, and filters your blood. It is located in the upper left side of your abdomen. Common medical problems include:
- Hypersplenism – when the spleen is overactive
- A spleen cyst or abscess
- Spleen tumors or spleen cancer
- Spleen blood vessels are blocked by a clot
- Blood cell diseases
- Sickle cell anemia
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Hodgkin’s disease
Symptoms can include an enlarged spleen, abnormal blood cell counts, or pain on the left side or shoulder. In certain diseases, the spleen is of normal size. Alpine Surgical offers spleen surgery in Boulder, CO, when severe conditions affect your spleen.
Surgical Removal of the Spleen for Various Conditions
Spleen Surgery
When the spleen is diseased or damaged and cannot be treated with non-surgical treatments, then the spleen is removed through surgery (splenectomy). Spleen surgery is done under general anesthesia, so the patient cannot feel any pain and is asleep during surgery. Spleen surgery can be performed with open surgery or minimally invasive spleen surgery.
Open Spleen Surgery
An incision is made in the middle or left side of the belly below your ribs, and the spleen is removed. The surgeon may inspect and remove other areas of your body that could be affected by your condition, such as cancerous lymph nodes.
Minimally Invasive Spleen Surgery
The majority of non-traumatic splenectomies (spleen removal) are performed with a minimally invasive technique (laparoscopy). Several small incisions are made in your belly. A laparoscope (telescope) is inserted, and the spleen is removed from the patient’s left upper quadrant. Because the incisions are smaller than those of open surgery, a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery are typical for most patients.
Getting Back to Normal
- Patients usually leave the hospital after spleen surgery within a few days after open surgery. It is usually an overnight visit when done minimally invasive.
- You will receive immunizations for the various bacteria that can cause problems after spleen removal.
- Lifting restrictions will be limited to two weeks for minimally invasive procedures and four weeks for the open technique.
Spleen Surgery at Alpine Surgical
The spleen is an important organ that filters the blood and fights infection in your body. In cases wherein the spleen is diseased, enlarged, or damaged, spleen surgery may be required to help prevent further complications. Alpine Surgical offers spleen surgery in Boulder, CO. Contact our office to learn more about this surgical service and how it can help your current condition.
