Spleen Function and Importance
The spleen is a 4-inch-long organ situated in the upper left portion of the abdomen next to the stomach, protected by the rib cage. It is not a vital organ so one can survive even without it as some of its functions can be overtaken by the liver. The important functions of the spleen include:
- Provides immunity from foreign bodies entering the blood
- Controls the levels of different blood components: WBCs, RBCs, and platelets
- Screens the blood and eliminates any damaged or old erythrocytes.
There are people without spleen and also those who have to get their spleen removed because of it getting diseased or damaged. If the spleen is not properly functioning, it may begin to remove healthy blood cells and cause anaemia, increased risk of infection, bruising or bleeding. It is not uncommon for people to experience various spleen conditions.
At Sree Nandaka Advanced Surgery Hospital, we have a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists and haematologists who are highly skilled and experienced in treating various splenic conditions. Our team will make you understand your condition and all potential spleen treatment in Hyderabad options so that you can receive guaranteed, optimal care that is right for you. The doctors at Sree Nandaka Advanced Surgery Hospital have the expertise of conducting many successful laparoscopic splenectomy in Hyderabad and also offer other spleen corrective treatments with support of their multi-disciplinary team and state of the art infrastructure.
Spleen Conditions
- Enlarged Spleen and Spleen Infections
When the spleen gets infected or injured, it can become swollen and appear enlarged. Many medical conditions are known to cause an enlarged spleen, which may be temporary. Some of them are parasitic infections such as malaria, viral infections like mononucleosis, bacterial infections such as endocarditis or syphilis, cirrhosis and other liver diseases, and blood cancers like lymphomas and leukaemia.
Enlarged spleen is often diagnosed during a routine medical exam by the doctor who can feel the large size of the spleen by touching the upper left part of the abdomen. However, the diagnosis is confirmed only with routine blood tests and medical imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI scan can help determine the cause of an enlarged spleen.
Usually, an enlarged spleen does not cause symptoms. The symptoms that appear in patients with enlarged spleen include:
- Pain in the left upper part of the abdomen that may radiate to the left shoulder
- The discomfort felt behind the left ribs
- A feeling of fullness without eating anything or having small portions of food
- Fatigue
- Anaemia
- Bleeding
- Infection.
The enlarged spleen treatment in Hyderabad depends upon the underlying medical condition causing the spleen to become enlarged. Typically, there is no need for treatment for an enlarged spleen caused by viral infections such as mononucleosis. Antibiotics may be prescribed in case of an infection. For a while, patients should avoid physical activities such as contact sports that could cause rupturing of the spleen. In case a patient has an enlarged spleen due to an unexplained reason or is suffering from serious complications, surgical removal of the spleen becomes necessary.
- Ruptured or Damaged Spleen
The spleen is a very sensitive organ prone to rupture or damage, even if it is healthy. The likelihood of experiencing a ruptured, damaged spleen is more in the case of an enlarged spleen. The bursting of the spleen can occur after a forceful blow to the upper left part of the abdomen, an injury caused by a car accident, sporting, or fracturing of the ribs. It can happen immediately when an individual meets with an accident or it may occur weeks following the injury.
The signs and symptoms of a ruptured spleen include:
- Pain behind the left ribs and tenderness upon touching the abdominal site where the spleen is located
- Pain felt at the left shoulder tip when lying down and raising the legs
- Hypotension signs such as dizziness and rapid heartbeat as a result of bleeding.
Prompt medical intervention is necessary for a ruptured spleen, as it can result in excessive blood loss which can be fatal. For more detail on the procedure get in touch with Spleen Specialist Doctor in Hyderabad at Sree Nandaka Advanced Surgery Hospital.
Splenectomy/ Spleen Removal in Hyderabad to Treat Spleen Conditions
Spleen conditions are treated as per their underlying cause. The treatment options vary for each spleen condition. Spleen Removal or Splenectomy Treatment in Hyderabad becomes necessary in some spleen conditions. Different reasons for which spleen removal is recommended include:
- Blood disorders
- Cancers such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or leukaemia that has spread to the spleen
- Enlarged spleen
- Ruptured spleen
- Trauma or injury to the spleen
- Spleen infection.
Spleen removal can be done for the whole spleen (a complete splenectomy) or just for a particular part of the spleen- a partial splenectomy, shares Splenectomies Doctors in Hyderabad at Sree Nandaka Advanced Surgery Hospital. If the spleen is massively enlarged or severely damaged, the patient is recommended with an open surgery and otherwise with a laparoscopic surgery. In either case, a series of immunisations may be provided before the surgery to prevent postoperative infections.
Open Surgery for Spleen Removal
In traditional open surgery, the Spleen Removal Surgeons in Hyderabad makes a single large incision in the abdomen to take out the severely damaged or extremely enlarged spleen. The surgery involves the use of sutures and general anaesthesia. A few days of hospitalisation are needed after the operation. Often, it is carried out in emergency cases for rapid control of bleeding.
Laparoscopic Spleen Removal in Hyderabad
Most spleen removal is performed by making multiple keyhole incisions and using a laparoscope- a flexible, long, thin tube fitted with a light and camera. The laparoscope helps guide the surgeon during the surgery by providing magnified images of the spleen inside the abdomen of the patient, on a monitor screen.
During this surgery, 2-3 keyhole incisions are made in the abdomen. Through one of the incisions, a laparoscope is inserted and other incisions are used to pass the special surgical instruments for spleen removal. To make the removal easier, the surgeon fills the abdomen with carbon dioxide gas. Once done, the incisions are stapled or glued together.
This surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. Patients can go back home on the same day or else after an overnight hospital stay. If discharged from the hospital on the same day of the surgery, they would need extra care at home.
After Spleen Removal
Following the surgery, it's normal for the patient to experience soreness or bruising in the operated area. The patient can get relief from discomfort with pain-relieving medication. Soon after the operation, the patient can eat and drink just as normal. During the recovery at home, the patient is asked to do some breathing and leg exercises so that there are low chances of getting a chest infection or blood clots. The patients are advised to not return to usual activities such as driving unless the surgeon permits. Proper surgical wound care is important to avoid the risk of infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the signs that you are suffering from spleen problems?
Bloating, anaemia, bruising easily, hiccups, fatigue, frequent infections, pain in the upper part of the stomach on the left side, feeling of fullness with or without eating, and others. Consulting a doctor can help determine the condition effectively to prevent the worsening of one's health.
2. What food can help in strengthening the spleen?
Incorporating spleen-friendly foods into the diet helps one to maintain spleen health. The food that one can incorporate are eggs, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, banana, berries, apples, quinoa, oats, barley, sweet potatoes, black beans, and almonds. The supplements include Vitamin B-12, C, A, Red Ginseng, Licorice, Astragalus, and Iron.
3. Can you live a normal life without a spleen?
Yes, one can live a normal life without a spleen. However, one may be susceptible to infections, so a good diet, vaccination and preventive measures are essential for ensuring optimal health.
Spleen removal is a major surgery and must be performed by an expert surgeon for safe outcomes. For more details on Spleen removal surgery cost in Hyderabad, book a visit at Sree Nandaka Advanced Surgery Hospital.
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