Splenectomy: Before Your Surgery

What is a splenectomy?

A splenectomy (say "splih-NEK-tuh-mee") is surgery to take out the spleen. You may have your spleen taken out because a disease made it get too big. Or maybe your spleen no longer works as it should. The doctor also may remove the spleen if it was damaged in an accident or injury.

Your surgery may be done through one large cut (incision). This is called open surgery. Or you may have laparoscopic surgery. To do this, the doctor puts a lighted tube, or scope, and other tools through several small cuts.

The spleen helps protect you from illness. After your spleen is gone, you may be more likely to get certain infections. So before or soon after your surgery, you will need a pneumococcal shot. You may also need other vaccinations.

Open surgery will leave a scar about 6 to 10 inches long on your belly. Laparoscopic surgery leaves small scars. They will fade over time.

How do you prepare for surgery?

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• Talk with your doctor about any vaccines you may need before surgery. The spleen helps the body fight certain types of bacteria. After your spleen is removed, your body will be less able to fight certain serious infections.
• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of surgery?

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  Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
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  Take a bath or shower before you come in for your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
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  Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
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  Take off all jewelry and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery center

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  Bring a picture ID.
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  The area for surgery is often marked to make sure there are no errors.
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  You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You will be asleep during the surgery.
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  The surgery may take 2 to 4 hours.
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  You may have a tube in your nose that goes down the back of your throat into your stomach. This is called a nasogastric tube. It removes stomach fluids for the first few days after the surgery.