 |
 |
 |
|
The spleen is a vital organ and is used by the immune system for several critical functions and for this reason a splenectomy has serious and long-term consequences. Most importantly, the treatment of all future infections becomes more complicated after splenectomy, because a key component of the body's normal defense system is not longer present.
The spleen is a soft, fist-sized purplish organ located behind and to the left of the stomach. The spleen plays an important role not only in the immune system but also the circulatory system. It helps filter substances from the blood: blood passing through the spleen travels through a maze of sponge-like spaces called sinusoids, where macrophages surround and destroy old or damaged blood cells.
The spleen also helps the body fight infection. Macrophages in the spleen rid the blood of certain parasites and bacteria. The spleen contains lymphocytes, which release special proteins into the blood. These proteins, called antibodies, weaken or kill bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that cause infection.
Causes & Development
Surgeons sometimes remove a patient's spleen in a procedure called a splenectomy. The spleen may be removed if it is damaged or overactive, or if the patient has cancer of the lymphatic system. A damaged spleen can cause a serious loss of blood (for example, after an accident) and in extreme cases result in death. In most cases, surgeons can repair a damaged spleen, and surgery is sometimes necessary to stop the bleeding. The spleen may become overactive and filter useful substances from the blood, resulting in anemia, bleeding, or infection. In some cases, a surgery improves or corrects the disorder. Cancer of the lymphatic system may also affect the spleen, thus requiring surgical removal of the organ.
A splenectomy causes no noticeable ill effects in most patients. In a few patients - especially children - the main risk is from infection, but this varies according to age. Young children are at a higher risk of infection than adults.
The most common type of infection is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia. This can lead to pneumonia or progress to potentially fatal septicaemia (blood poisoning). Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) is another bacterium which causes infections such as epiglottitis and meningitis in children. A vaccine against Hib was introduced in 1993 and all children born after this date should have received it. Although the risk of developing these infections is small, it is present for life. If a person has no spleen, he or she is also at greater risk of developing an infection after being bitten by an animal or insect, and therefore at greater risk of catching diseases such as malaria.
|
|
 |
|
 |
Consequences of Splenectomy can lead to: | | | | | Infections |  Septicemia | Certain bacteria, including pneumococcus and hemophilus, that are usually confined to local infections may become blood-borne (septic) and widespread in splenectomized persons. To avoid this potentially fatal situation, they are usually instructed to seek medical attention promptly for all fevers or obvious infections. |
|
| | | | |
Recommendations and treatments for Consequences of Splenectomy: | | | | | Drug |  Antibiotics| | In order to reduce further the small risk of serious infection, a person who has undergone splenectomy will need to take antibiotics for the rest of their life. In most cases this will be penicillin, but those allergic to it will be given some other form of antibiotic. It is important also to recognize minor infections before they become serious. If there is any sign of infection (for example raised temperature, sore throat, unexplained cough, abdominal pain and/or headache with drowsiness or a rash), a doctor should be contacted. |
|
| | | | |
KEY | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Abdomen (Abdominal)
That part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, pancreas and other organs.
Anemia (Anaemia, Anemias)
A condition resulting from an unusually low number of red blood cells or too little hemoglobin in the red blood cells. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia in which the red blood cells are reduced in size and number, and hemoglobin levels are low. Clinical symptoms include shortness of breath, lethargy and heart palpitations.
Antibody (Antibodies)
A type of serum protein (globulin) synthesized by white blood cells of the lymphoid type in response to an antigenic (foreign substance) stimulus. Antibodies are complex substances formed to neutralize or destroy these antigens in the blood. Antibody activity normally fights infection but can be damaging in allergies and a group of diseases that are called autoimmune diseases.
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
Epiglottitis
Inflammation of the back of the throat.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Lymphatic System
A network of vessels which collect fluid from the tissues of the body and return it to the blood. Lymphatic fluid (also called lymph) is rich in white blood cells that fight infection and an important part of the body's immune system.
Macrophage (Macrophages)
An immune system cell that scavenges bacterial and other foreign material in the blood and tissues. It is a mature form of what is released from the marrow as a monocyte. A macrophage lives long, can digest much detritus, and is able to wear particles of odd food on its outer membrane. This allows T-cell and B-cell lymphocytes to taste the particle (an epitope) and form an antibody response. Further, these macrophages, traveling as monocytes, will take up permanent residence in many tissues, providing them with immunity. They line the spleen, form the cleansing Kupffer cells in the liver, make up the "dust cells" that protect the lungs, protect the synovial fluids of the joints, and form the microglial cells that provide protection to the brain and nerve tissues. Essentially the macrophages clean up messes and act as the intermediates between innate and acquired immunity.
Parasite (Parasites, Parasitic, Parasitical)
An organism living in or on another organism.
Pneumonia (Pneumonitis)
Inflammation, usually infectious, of the lungs. Unless the result of only moderate chemical or smoke irritation, it is a potentially life-threatening condition. There are so many defenses against an infection this deep in the body that the very presence of pneumonia signals a pathogen of great virulence or impaired or exhausted immunity, or all three. Pneumonitis: Inflammation of the lungs, from whatever cause. It may be concurrent with pneumonia or pleurisy.
Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.
Sepsis (Blood Poisoning, Septicemia)
Like septicemia, an infection that has moved deeply into the body, involving the subcutaneous or submucosal layers, connective tissue, lymph system, or blood. Septicemia: The presence of pathogenic bacteria or other microbes in the blood stream - a serious business, since most defenses are focused outside the bloodstream and the infection has bypassed them either due to its virulence, the depth and severity of the original focal infection or the weakened state of the body's immunity and life energy. Blood poisoning.
Spleen (Splenectomy)
The largest organ of the lymphatic system in the body, located between the stomach and the diaphragm (the muscle below the lungs which provides the motion for breathing). It destroys old red blood cells, produces lymphocytes and plasma cells, and stores blood. It also has other as yet unknown functions. A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Streptococcus (Strep)
A genus of gram-staining chain-forming cocci bacteria. Some are responsible for common and potentially serious human infections, ranging from scarlet fever and strep throat to bacterial endocarditis and pus pockets. Most of the disease-potential streps are also a normal part of the skin, mouth and upper respiratory flora.
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
Last updated: Jul 12, 2008
|
 |
|
|
