Splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen, which is an organ that is part of the lymphatic system.
The spleen.
Spleen removal is called an open splenectomy or a laparoscopic splenectomy, depending upon how it is performed.
Some of the jobs of the spleen are taken over by the liver, but not all. The spleen stores platelets for instance. This job is not done by anything after the spleen is removed, but this is really not too big of a deal. The spleen also takes apart red blood cells after they are dead and can reuse the material taken from them (This process also creates bilirubin which is taken by the liver and is an ingredient of bile, the substance stored in your gallbladder and used in digestion). The spleen is also part of your lymphatic and immune system, so there are some jobs that go undone. There are meds that patients of spleen removal must take for the rest of their life after a splenectomy.
Splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen, which is an organ that is part of the lymphatic system. The spleen acts in the natural resistance to infection. Splenectomies are performed for a variety of different reasons and with different degrees of urgency. Most splenectomies are done after the patient has been diagnosed with hypersplenism. Hypersplenism is not a specific disease but a group of symptoms, or syndrome, that can be produced by a number of different disorders. It is characterized by enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), defects in the blood cells, and an abnormally high turnover of blood cells. It is almost always associated with splenomegaly caused by specific disorders such as cirrhosis of the liver or certain cancers. The decision to perform a splenectomy depends on the severity and prognosis of the disease that is causing the hypersplenism. There was a time when the spleen was thought to be inessential to health (like the appendix). Now it is known that people without spleens have a greater risk of severe infection than people with normal spleens. Therefore, doctors try not to remove the spleen unless a splenectomy is either life-saving after injury, or very important in the treatment of a disease that involves the spleen.
sickle cell trait is a gene inherited from one parent which gives partial immunity to malaria and but is unlikely to develop into sickle cell anemia.The same gene inherited from BOTH parents causes Sickle-cell anemia, a blood disorder in which the body produces abnormal type of hemoglobin in red blood cells and can be deadly.
disadvantages of splenectomy?
I didn't have one before my splenectomy, therefore do not plan to have one after.
The main risk of a splenectomy procedure is overwhelming bacterial infection, or postsplenectomy sepsis.
The USMEPCOM standards, from my understanding, say that you CAN join if your splenectomy was a result of trauma. However, if your splenectomy is a result of some sort of infection or disease such as lukemia then you're out of luck.
The CPT Code for laparoscopic splenectomey is 38120 (Laparoscopy, surgical, splenectomy)
The spleen.
The main muscles that are involved in a splenectomy are those in the diaphragm. The spleen is located under these muscles.
Generally speaking, no. You should discuss this issue with the physician who is monitoring your splenectomy.
The chief risk following splenectomy is overwhelming bacterial infection, or postsplenectomy sepsis. Other risks following splenectomy include inflammation of the pancreas and collapse of the lungs. Excessive bleeding.
Spleen removal is called an open splenectomy or a laparoscopic splenectomy, depending upon how it is performed.
Splenectomy has been regarded as the definitive treatment for this disease and is effective in about 70% of chronic ITP cases.
Splenectomy is done with an instrument known as laparoscopy. It also makes use of clips, intracorporeal knotting and electrocoagulation techniques.