Elective splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of your spleen. It is usually recommended if you have blood disorders, an enlarged spleen, or lymphoma or leukaemia cancers in your spleen. Splenectomy can be performed by keyhole or open surgery.
Our team of general surgeons are experts in the surgical removal of the spleen. They have vast knowledge and experience in performing this surgery and will answer any questions you have.
Ramsay hospitals offer convenient and timely appointments for a fast and reliable diagnosis and prompt treatment.
When surgically appropriate, laparoscopic surgery is performed using the latest equipment often in our purpose-built and JAG-accredited endoscopy units. If necessary, they can skilfully perform open splenectomy.
All Ramsay hospitals adhere to strict infection control and prevention protocols to minimise the risk of any infection, including COVID-19.
An elective splenectomy is planned surgery to remove your spleen. It is performed if your spleen is not working properly or if it's enlarged, diseased or damaged.
It can be performed as minimally invasive surgery using a telescopic instrument called a laparoscope or by open surgery through a large abdominal incision.
Splenectomy can be complete when your entire spleen is removed or partial when only a segment of your spleen is taken away.
The spleen is an organ that sits under your rib cage on the upper left side of your abdomen. It helps fight infection and filters unneeded material, such as old or damaged blood cells, from your blood.
Splenectomy can be performed for the following conditions:
A splenectomy may also be performed to help diagnose a condition. This can happen if you have an enlarged spleen and your doctor cannot determine why.
The most common indication for elective splenectomy is a blood disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
ITP is an autoimmune condition whereby antibodies target your blood platelets. These platelets help your blood clot. If you have ITP, you are at risk of bleeding. Your spleen makes these antibodies and removes the platelets from your blood. Medical treatment is usually the first option but if it isn’t successful then you may have your spleen removed to treat this condition.
Splenectomy is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, it carries potential risks of complications, including bleeding, blood clots, infection and injury to nearby organs.
After spleen removal, other organs in your body take over most functions that were previously performed by your spleen.
However, you are at increased risk of becoming sick or getting serious or life-threatening infections. The main ones include pneumonia, meningitis and influenza. This is because your spleen plays an important role in fighting off bacteria. Your doctor may recommend vaccines against these various infections and also preventive antibiotics, especially if you have other conditions that increase your risk of serious infections.
Without a spleen, you may also find it more difficult to recover from an illness or injury.
After splenectomy, you should be vigilant and notify your doctor immediately if you develop an illness with a high fever.
The costs of an elective splenectomy will depend on the reason for your surgery, whether open or laparoscopic surgery is performed, if a complete or partial splenectomy is required, and your Ramsay hospital of choice.
You will receive a formal quotation price after your consultation with one of our experienced general surgeons. This formal quote for your splenectomy will be valid for 60 days.
We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your surgery yourself. These include:
Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers. Elective splenectomy is usually covered by your medical insurance policy. We advise that you obtain written confirmation from your insurance before proceeding with your surgery.
The recovery process of an elective splenectomy will vary depending on the extent of the spleen removed and the type of surgery used to remove it.
If you have laparoscopic surgery, you are likely to go home the same day or the day after. If you have open surgery, you may go home up to six days after your surgery.
Your doctor will advise you when you can resume your daily activities at home. Typically, after laparoscopic surgery, this is two weeks and after open surgery, it may be six weeks.
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