#spleenectomy

[iheartguts]

Unidentified Flying Organ spotted in Nevada!

[spacecadetkate-blog]

severity classifications for hereditary spherocytosis

Khanna S B et al-  The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India March / April 2011

[drpriya]

A splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the spleen. The spleen is an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, under the rib cage. It plays several roles in the body, including:

Filtering Blood: It removes old and damaged red blood cells from the bloodstream.

Fighting Infection: It helps produce white blood cells and stores them, contributing to the body's immune response.

Storing Blood: It stores blood and platelets, which are vital for clotting.

Indications for Splenectomy

A splenectomy may be performed for various reasons, including:

Trauma: Severe injury to the spleen causing internal bleeding.

Blood Disorders: Conditions like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), hereditary spherocytosis, and thalassemia.

Cancers: Certain cancers like lymphoma or leukemia affecting the spleen. ( Know more about- What is Lymphoma? )

Infections: Rare infections that do not respond to other treatments and cause splenic abscesses.

Other Conditions: Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) causing discomfort or other complications.

Types of Splenectomy

Open Splenectomy: A large incision is made in the abdomen to remove the spleen. This method is typically used in emergency situations or when the spleen is very large.

Laparoscopic Splenectomy: A minimally invasive approach using small incisions and a camera to guide the surgery. This method usually results in quicker recovery and less pain.

Risks and Complications

While generally safe, splenectomy carries risks, such as:

Infection

Bleeding

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

Blood clots

Long-term, individuals without a spleen are more susceptible to infections, particularly from encapsulated bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae. Vaccinations and prophylactic antibiotics are often recommended to mitigate this risk.

Postoperative Care

Post-surgery, patients typically require:

Pain management

Monitoring for signs of infection or complications

Vaccinations to protect against certain infections

Possible antibiotic prophylaxis, particularly in the early months or years post-surgery

Conclusion

A splenectomy can be a life-saving procedure with numerous indications, primarily related to trauma, blood disorders, or malignancies. Despite its risks, the procedure can effectively address the underlying issues necessitating the removal of the spleen, leading to improved patient outcomes when appropriately managed.

Get a splenectomy done at the best hospitals in Mumbai like H N Reliance Hospital.

[almost-a-class-act]

I got back in the gym yesterday for the first time since my surgery and the pace had to be glacial for incision-related reasons even though I wasn't working that hard.

I feel like a kid at the go-karts; I wanna go fast and I do not want to wear a seatbelt. I need some posterboard and glitter to make myself a big sign for my workout room that says HERE'S A THOUGHT MAYBE DON'T GET A HERNIA.

[med-struck]

First time ever in OT :D

Today was my first time ever in the Operation Theatre and boy, oh boy, it was SO much fun. It was a Splenectomy case. We had to stand for two hours straight. But we could go out of the room or even sit on a small bench which was there in the back. But the actual surgeons that were there didn’t take a break for even a minute. I especially feel for the surgeon’s assistant who had to hold the retractor the whole time. I wish my OT had a camera and a screen. I could almost see nothing which was going inside. I wish I was allowed heels in OT. Tall people are extremely lucky people. I got the special privilege of standing right next to the main surgeon (who’s also my teacher) because my teacher said that the first person to enter the theater would get to have the closest look :D I felt very special haha. But not for long. I did see the beginning process right. The cutting through the initial layers part. The surgeon’s arms were blocking my view, and things weren’t visible in that angle. So I moved to stand with my classmates. Still didn’t get to see with a good angle. That’s when I realized. The only best angle you can see a surgery from is RIGHT ABOVE THE PATIENT. That view only the actual surgeons can get, and maybe a camera, if you fix it there. The cyst was a very large one. The spleen came out relatively quick. But the cyst could not. It was very large and it had adhered to the diaphagm too. So first they took out the spleen. Except a part of it which was still with the cyst. Then after a lot of careful operating, the cyst came out. And it was SO huge! They also tied up the splenic artery before taking out the spleen. Because of what use is the vessel if the organ is blocked, right? Tied it twice because splenic artery is a big artery. Then the whole procedure was followed up by the sewing it up process.

There were two senior surgeons who stood in opposite directions, and an assistant surgeon. An assistant was there to pass around stuff to the surgeons. Some other helpers were there too. And then there were us, the third year medical students.

The surgeons were so casual the whole time. Started with Allahu Akbar, and put up a huge cut on the patient. That part scared me. Were joking around time to time too. When my teacher told the other surgeon that it’s our first OT, they joked about how we should take selfies and recommended hashtags for us haha.

[grileag]

Why is it okay for healthy ass people to be worried about contact with diseases, but if I won't shake hands with someone who just sneezed I'm over-reacting?! Really? REALLY!!