Splenectomy

splenectomy

The spleen is located on the left side of the abdomen that filters the blood and removes abnormal cells and makes disease-fighting components of the immune system including antibodies and lymphocytes. Since the spleen is involved in so many bodily functions, it is vulnerable to a wide range of disorders. However, the human body adapts well to life without this organ, so surgically removing a diseased or damaged spleen is possible without causing any serious harm to the patient. Some of the disorders that can affect the spleen include:

  • Splenomegaly : A variety of disorders can cause the spleen to enlarge. Any conditions that cause a rapid breakdown of blood cells, such as haemolytic anaemias, can place great strain on the spleen and make it enlarge. Other causes of splenomegaly include infections, liver disease and some cancers such as leukaemia.
  • Hypersplenism : The two characteristic features of hypersplenism are splenomegaly and a deficiency of one or more blood components. It seems that an enlarged spleen is sometimes overactive and will destroy more blood cells than necessary. Symptoms depend on which blood component is lacking. For example, if red blood cells are deficient, anaemia will be the result with symptoms including fatigue and pallor. Most cases of hypersplenism are caused by disorders somewhere else in the body, such as cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Splenic rupture : Certain disorders, including glandular fever, can occasionally make the enlarged spleen delicate enough to spontaneously rupture. A sudden blow to the abdomen can split the outer capsule of the spleen and cause bleeding into the abdominal cavity. When bleeding is life threatening, surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy) is needed.

Treatment depends on the disorder and its specific cause. For example, if the splenomegaly is caused by particular cancers, then treatment will focus on eliminating or controlling the primary disease. A severely ruptured spleen is usually surgically removed.

Adrenalectomy

Adrenal glands are endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys that are responsible for releasing three different hormones including cortisol, epinephrine, and aldosterone. These hormones control metabolic processes such as managing blood sugar levels and regulating inflammation, regulating the balance of salt and water, controlling the response to stress, maintaining pregnancy, and initiating and controlling sexual maturation during childhood and puberty. The adrenal glands are also an important source of sex steroids, such as estrogen and testosterone. The tumors that occur in the adrenal can be affect its normal function and therefore should be removed from the body during surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is performed through 3-4 small incision.