Laparoscopic Splenectomy Surgery in Ahmedabad

Because the spleen helps the body fight certain infections, care before and after splenectomy is as important as the operation itself. This includes vaccinations, and lifelong awareness of infection.

Tirtham Surgical Hospital, Science City Road, Sola, Ahmedabad, provides laparoscopic splenectomy surgery in Ahmedabad, as well as open splenectomy, with a 24-hour emergency operating team. This page explains, step by step, the reasons for splenectomy, preparation including vaccines, the operation, recovery, risks and life without a spleen — so that patients and families can discuss their care clearly with the treating surgeon and, where relevant, their haematologist.

Laparoscopic Splenectomy Surgery in Ahmedabad at a Glance

The information below describes a typical planned laparoscopic splenectomy. Every patient is different, and the treating surgeon will explain what applies to you.

What Is the Spleen and What Does It Do?

The spleen is a soft, fist-sized organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, under the lower ribs, behind the stomach. It has a very rich blood supply.

The spleen's main functions are:

• Filtering the blood — removing old or damaged red blood cells and platelets
• Fighting infection — making antibodies and removing certain bacteria from the blood, especially bacteria with a protective outer coat, such as pneumococcus, meningococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Storing blood cells — holding a share of the body's platelets and some white blood cells

After the spleen is removed, the liver and other parts of the immune system take over most of these functions. The protection against certain bacteria is reduced, which is why vaccinations and infection awareness are needed.

Why Splenectomy May Be Needed

For blood disorders, splenectomy is usually advised together with a haematologist (blood specialist), after medicines and other treatments have been considered.

Related page: Liver, spleen & pancreas surgery

Can the Spleen Be Saved?

Where it is safe, doctors try to keep the spleen or part of it, so its role in fighting infection is preserved:

• Splenic injury: many injuries in patients with stable blood pressure and pulse are managed without surgery, with close monitoring in hospital, and sometimes with a procedure to block the bleeding vessel from inside (angioembolisation)
• Some cysts and small benign lesions: removal of only part of the spleen (partial splenectomy), or removal of the cyst alone, may be possible
• Some blood disorders in young children: surgery is often delayed until the child is older, when possible

Whether the spleen can be saved depends on the condition and is discussed before surgery.

Preparing for Splenectomy: Step by Step

• Consultation: the surgeon discusses the diagnosis, together with the haematologist's advice where relevant, and explains the planned operation
• Tests: blood count, blood group and cross-match, clotting tests, and ultrasound or CT scan to measure the spleen and look for any extra small spleens (accessory spleens)
• Raising the platelet count if needed: in ITP, medicines may be given before surgery to raise the platelet count, and platelets are kept ready for transfusion
• Vaccinations: given at least 2 weeks before planned surgery (see the next section)
• Pre-anaesthesia check-up: ECG, chest X-ray and other tests as required for age and health
• Medicine check: blood thinners, diabetes medicines, steroids and other regular medicines are adjusted as advised
• Informed consent: the procedure, alternatives, risks, the possibility of conversion to open surgery and the lifelong precautions after splenectomy are explained in simple language
• Fasting: usually no food for about 6 hours before general anaesthesia
• Insurance formalities: cashless or reimbursement paperwork is started

Vaccinations and Protection Against Infection

People without a spleen have a higher lifelong risk of a rare but serious infection called overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI). It can progress very quickly. The risk is highest in children and in the first two years after surgery, but it remains lifelong. Vaccinations, early treatment of fever and simple precautions greatly reduce this risk.

Lifelong Precautions

• Treat fever as urgent: see a doctor the same day for fever, chills or feeling suddenly unwell, and tell them you have no spleen
• Carry an alert card or note stating that you have had a splenectomy, and inform every doctor and dentist who treats you
• Keep vaccinations up to date
• Travel: take precautions against malaria when travelling to high-risk areas, as malaria can be more severe without a spleen
• Animal bites, including dog bites: seek medical advice promptly, as antibiotics may be needed
• Emergency antibiotics: some patients are given a supply of antibiotics to start at the first sign of infection, as advised by the doctor

Laparoscopic vs Open Splenectomy

Both methods remove the spleen under general anaesthesia. The choice depends mainly on the size of the spleen, the condition, previous operations and whether the surgery is planned or an emergency.

Laparoscopic Splenectomy Operation in Ahmedabad: Step by Step

• General anaesthesia is given; the patient is asleep throughout the operation
• The patient is positioned on the right side, tilted, so the spleen can be reached easily
• Small incisions are made in the upper abdomen for the camera and instruments
• The abdomen is gently filled with carbon dioxide gas to create working space
• The abdomen is examined for accessory spleens — small extra pieces of spleen tissue — which are also removed, especially in ITP, as left-behind tissue can cause the condition to return
• The spleen is freed from its attachments to the stomach, colon and diaphragm
• The splenic blood vessels are carefully sealed and divided, taking care to protect the tail of the pancreas
• The spleen is placed in a strong retrieval bag and removed through one of the incisions, usually in pieces
• The area is checked for bleeding; a drain is placed only if needed
• The gas is released and the incisions are closed

The removed spleen is sent for histopathology (laboratory examination under a microscope) when required, to confirm the diagnosis.

After Surgery, in Hospital

• Pain relief medicines are given as required
• Patients are encouraged to sit out of bed and walk from the first day
• Breathing exercises help prevent chest infection, as the spleen lies close to the left lung
• Sips of water are started, followed by light food as tolerated
• Blood counts, including the platelet count, are checked
• Discharge is planned once the patient is eating, walking and comfortable on oral medicines

Recovery After Laparoscopic Splenectomy

Typical Recovery Timeline

This timeline applies to a planned laparoscopic splenectomy. Recovery is longer after open or emergency surgery, and individual recovery varies.

Wound Care

• Keep the dressings clean and dry until advised otherwise
• Bathing is usually allowed after 48 hours; pat the wounds dry
• Avoid swimming or soaking in a tub until the wounds have healed
• Stitches or skin glue are checked at the follow-up visit

When to Contact the Hospital or See a Doctor Urgently

• Fever above 100.4°F (38°C), chills or feeling suddenly very unwell — at any time in life, as this may be a sign of serious infection
• Increasing abdominal pain or swelling
• Continuous vomiting
• Increasing redness, swelling, pus or discharge from any wound
• Cough with fever, chest pain or breathlessness
• Pain or swelling in the calf

Patients receive written discharge instructions, a contact number for post-operative queries, the vaccination and precaution plan, and a follow-up appointment date.

Risks and Possible Complications

Splenectomy is an established operation, but like every surgery it carries risks. Risks are higher in emergency surgery and when the spleen is very large. The surgeon discusses these risks before taking consent.

• Bleeding — during or after surgery; may need a blood transfusion, conversion to open surgery or, rarely, a further operation
• Injury to the tail of the pancreas — may cause a leak of pancreatic fluid, which usually settles with drainage
• Injury to nearby organs such as the stomach, colon or diaphragm — rare
• Chest problems — partial collapse of the lower left lung, fluid around the lung, or chest infection
• Infection — at the wounds or as a collection of pus under the diaphragm
• Rise in platelet count (thrombocytosis) — common after surgery and monitored; occasionally medicine is needed
• Blood clots — in the leg veins, lungs, or the veins of the liver and spleen area
• Return of the blood disorder — in ITP, the platelet count may fall again in some patients, sometimes because of left-behind accessory spleen tissue
• Hernia at an incision site — uncommon
• Conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery — in a proportion of cases
• Lifelong risk of serious infection (OPSI) — reduced by vaccines, early treatment of fever and the precautions above
• Anaesthesia-related risks — assessed at the pre-anaesthesia check-up

Splenectomy Surgery Cost in Ahmedabad

The total cost of splenectomy differs from patient to patient. The main factors are:

• Laparoscopic or open technique
• Size of the spleen and the underlying condition
• Whether the surgery is planned or an emergency
• Vaccinations, investigations, and blood or platelet transfusions if needed
• Length of hospital stay, room category, and intensive care if needed
• Medicines and histopathology

A written estimate based on the patient's diagnosis and chosen room category can be requested from the hospital.

Insurance

• Mediclaim and cashless facility is available, subject to the patient's policy terms and insurer approval
• Assistance is provided with documents required for reimbursement claims

Laparoscopic Splenectomy Surgery Doctor in Ahmedabad

Laparoscopic splenectomy is performed by a general or laparoscopic surgeon, but when the reason is a blood disorder, the decision is usually shared with a haematologist. A laparoscopic splenectomy surgery doctor in Ahmedabad will often work with these doctors:

Questions worth asking before surgery:

• Has splenectomy been advised by my haematologist, and have other treatments been considered?
• Can all or part of my spleen be saved?
• Is keyhole surgery suitable for the size of my spleen, and when might open surgery be needed?
• Which vaccines do I need, and when should they be given?
• Does my platelet count need to be raised first, and will blood or platelets be kept ready?
• How long will I stay in hospital, and when can I return to work?
• Will I need preventive antibiotics, and what should I do if I get fever later?
• What does the estimate include, and is the treatment covered by my insurance policy?

Laparoscopic Splenectomy Surgeon in Ahmedabad

Splenectomy is performed by a qualified surgeon, usually one with a postgraduate degree in general surgery (MS or DNB) and training in laparoscopic surgery. When choosing a laparoscopic splenectomy surgeon in Ahmedabad, these points are worth checking:

Laparoscopic Splenectomy Surgery Hospital in Ahmedabad

Because the spleen has a very rich blood supply, the hospital where splenectomy is done should be able to control bleeding, give blood or platelets when needed and support safe recovery. These are the facilities that matter most:

The facilities available at Tirtham Surgical Hospital are listed further below on this page.

Treating Surgeon

At Tirtham Surgical Hospital, laparoscopic splenectomy surgery in Ahmedabad is performed by:

View doctor profile

Facilities at Tirtham Surgical Hospital

• 24-hour emergency operating team
• Laparoscopic and endoscopic setup
• Mediclaim and cashless facility, subject to policy terms
• 6 themed recovery rooms
• Large parking facility

Contact and Location