Anyone have their spleen removed?

[MinnieTink]

There is a possibility, especially in the long run, that in the future I will need a splenectomy. I have read and googled about the procedure (ew") and effects afterwards. Just wondering if there is anyone here who is "spleen-less" or knows someone who is? I would appreciate any insight.

Thanks!

 

[Aunt Flancy]

My dad had his removed a little over a year ago. It was am emergency surgery. He had a very rare spontaneous rupture. He was on blood thinners at the time and very nearly died. He has a very large scar, but has not had any problems. He has to keep up to date on his immunizations and wash his hands more often than he used to, but that is the only thing that has really changed so far. My son did have H1N1 last winter and they gave my dad Tamiflu so he wouldn't get it.

 

[JLTraveling]

My dad had his spleen removed as part of emergency surgery following a near-fatal car accident. I have no idea how either the surgery or healing process would go for a simple splenectomy, since Dad's was part of a much larger surgery. What I do know is that it never caused him a bit of trouble.

Despite having several medical conditions that stemmed from the accident (Hep C from the blood transfusion, structural COPD from the damage caused by his stomach going through his diaphragm and partially collapsing his lung, severe osteoarthritis in his spine), Dad has never been prone to illness. The lack of a spleen apparently didn't harm his immune system at all.

More interestingly, Dad had an abdominal CT scan for something else a couple of years ago. Everyone including the doctor was surprised to see that he now has two spleen stumps! Apparently it's very rare for the splenectomy to take every single cell, and it's not uncommon for the leftover cells to replicate. Between the two stumps, he basically has a full-sized, fully functional spleen now

 

[Mom3girls]

My husband had his spleen removed about 20-30 years ago as a preteen after being in a racing bike accident. It happened the day before their trip to disney world! Besides the extra handwashing and getting pneumo and flu vaccines every year, he's been fine.

 

[MinnieTink]

Thanks for sharing everybody! It's good to see that your loved ones are doing ok without their spleens!