Splenectomy (Spleen Removal); Splenectomy Indications & How Is Splenectomy Done?

Our body is formed of many systems that are, in turn, formed of organs. Most organs of the body are essential for life and their removal can cause immediate or delayed death however, some organs in our body are removable, and some conditions necessitate such removal either as a life-saving measure, to remove a certain diseased organ or even for general health considerations or as protection against a certain expected disease in such organ.

The spleen

The spleen is one of the least known organs in the human body that if you asked random individuals what it does, 9 out of 10 would not know. This underrated organ is located in the left upper abdomen behind the stomach and just under the left side of the diaphragm. It has a convex smooth outer surface that is related to our last 3 ribs and the diaphragm and an inner surface that has the blood supply. The spleen is supplied by the splenic artery and is drained by the splenic vein, which is a part of the portal circulation which connects to the liver and the gastrointestinal system.