How Spleen Removal May Affect Your Quality Of Life

The spleen is the biggest organ in the body that filters the blood and supports the immune system. Though the spleen is usually present at birth, some individuals are born without one. Certain hereditary conditions, genetic mutations, medical disorders, and trauma can damage the organ beyond repair, facilitating the need for removal. Dr. Abtin Khosravi, MD offers the following insights into how spleen removal impacts the quality of life.

It is possible to live an active life without a spleen. Though the organ helps provide immunity against germs, viruses, and other pathogens, it is not necessarily classified as a critical organ until it stops working properly or becomes damaged. Not having a spleen makes you immunocompromised. Your immune system still functions but its response or defense mechanisms are not as robust as they should be to prevent illness. Having a weakened immune system does mean frequent and severe infections are likely. But the elevated risks are similar to those that occur from growing older and other medical conditions.

Spleen Removal Leads to Better Outcomes

The dangers of living with a damaged spleen are far more serious and life-altering than not having one. Surgery is necessary to prevent certain health conditions from developing and to resolve underlying medical issues that onset when the spleen becomes problematic. Depending on the cause, patient profile and other factors, Dr. Khosravi offers laparoscopic and open splenectomies at the Orange County Robotic General Surgery center. Laparoscopic spleen removal is minimally invasive and performed with the revolutionary da Vinci Robotic Surgery System.

Laparoscopic splenectomies are less traumatic, easier for patients to recover from, and leaves behind fewer scars. Open spleen removal is completed using traditional surgical instruments and techniques. Traditional spleen removal surgery is ideal for patients with severely diseased or enlarged spleens, but recovery takes longer. Both options are extremely useful in diagnosing idiopathic conditions that have no discernable cause. Spleen removal also optimizes the body’s defenses against pneumonia, meningitis, and other life-threatening conditions that can negatively alter one’s quality of life.

Maintaining Health and Quality of Life Without a Spleen

Removing the spleen causes the body to transfer many of its functions to other immunological processes. Even in a weakened state, the immune system is still adept at fighting infections. To optimize immunity and quality of life, Orange County Robotic General Surgery spleen removal patients should utilize the following recommendations.

Stay healthy. Optimal immunity is achieved when the body is in good health. Take precautions in environments where there are germs, bacteria, and other pathogens that can result in infection or sickness. Properly managing symptoms of other health conditions, no matter how minuscule they seem is crucial. Monitor yourself daily for infections. Seek medical attention at the first sign of fatigue, unwellness or injury.

Follow medication and treatment recommendations religiously. People with weakened immune systems rely on daily antibiotics, medications, and other medical therapies to maintain proper immune function. The immune system can become further suppressed when medication and treatment regimens are not properly adhered to. Always carry medical alert information with the date and name of all diagnoses, treatments, and medication, vitamin, and supplement dosages in case of emergencies.

Stay current on immunizations. In the absence of the spleen and a strong immune system, immunizations are invaluable. They enable the immune system to develop antibodies against viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens naturally. Vaccinations enhance immunity in a similar manner that getting sick does but without causing infection. Immunizations provide long-term protection against infection. Yet, some vaccines gradually lose their effectiveness at preventing illness, which can be dangerous for people with asplenia. Boosters help shore up protection to eliminate gaps in immunity.

Maintain exceptional hygiene. Germs, bacteria, viruses, and other infectious microorganisms are everywhere. Once they invade the body, they attack, seeking out vulnerabilities and optimal conditions that allow them to replicate and overwhelm its defenses. Frequently washing the hands and maintaining good overall hygiene is necessary to keep infections at bay.

Avoid high-risk activities, people, and environments. Living without a spleen means you’ll need to be diligent about minimizing contact with people who are ill and environments there is an elevated risk of exposure to viruses, bacteria, and highly infectious diseases. When avoidance is not possible, use hand sanitizer and masks to enhance protection against infection.

Improve stress management. Some stress is normal and unavoidable. But too much stress is unhealthy and decreases your body’s resistance to sickness and medical complications. Many people, including those with weakened immune functions, internalize stress and unknowingly reduce their body’s resistance to infections. Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle and developing good coping stress mechanisms are vital.

These strategies don’t eliminate the risks of being immunocompromised, but they do limit the frequency and severity of illness. They also significantly enhance the quality of life for living without a spleen.

Spleen removal makes living without a spleen safe and possible. To learn more about open or MIS Robotic spleen removal surgery at the Orange County Robotic General Surgery center, call (714)-541-4996 to schedule a consultation with our board-certified surgeon, Dr. Abtin Khosravi, MD, FACS.