The spleen is located on the left side of the stomach in our abdomen. Veins and arteries enter the spleen through the stomach and pancreas. The spleen helps boost the body’s immune system. Various complications arise when the spleen is enlarged due to various reasons. Spleen has to be removed by operation.
The spleen works like a filter in our body. It filters germs from the blood. The spleen can be called the blood bank of the human body. Some blood accumulates here. If the body bleeds due to any reason, the spleen supplies the stored blood to meet the deficiency. The spleen produces all types of blood cells in the fetal state from four months of age until shortly after birth. Later this work is done through the bone marrow.
Why does the spleen grow?
One of the causes of an enlarged spleen is hemolytic anemia. Spleen is enlarged in patients with this disease and the affected people have to have their spleen removed. In addition to hemolytic anemia, inflammation can cause pus to accumulate in the spleen. The spleen can rupture due to trauma. Due to any reason, the blood flow can be stopped and the spleen can be damaged. Spleen is enlarged due to liver failure. Spleen can also be TBI. A stomach bug called Cystosoma Mansoni lodges in the spleen and obstructs blood flow. It can also damage the liver. Even with blood cancer, the spleen is enlarged and damaged. In all types of spleen problems, the shape of this organ changes a little. But when the spleen becomes too large, its filtering system becomes inactive. Then the spleen begins to destroy all types of blood cells in the body.
When is the surgery needed?
The spleen is removed when it ruptures due to trauma or during a complete operation for stomach cancer. Classification of lymphoma is sometimes necessary to rule out the disease. Cirrhosis causes severe swelling of the esophageal veins. Then it has to be left to do another road. There are some things to know before the spleen operation. For example, the status of the patient’s blood cells, i.e. how much they have decreased. If the blood decreases, then the patient needs to be boosted with blood and then surgery.
After the surgery
After removal of the spleen, some pathogens may become overactive and mount a virulent attack. Therefore, vaccines against germs such as meningitis, pneumonia, etc. are given before the operation. After the operation, the patient may have internal bleeding. There is also the risk of bleeding in the stomach. Stomach injury may occur during surgery. As the immune system is weakened by surgery, opportunistic microbes attack relentlessly. Children should be given daily penicillin until the age of 10 years if needed after splenectomy.