To Our Valued Patients,
The payment site is currently under maintenance, please call us to make a payment. This will be temporary until our processing company gets us a new payment link.
To Our Valued Patients,
The payment site is currently under maintenance, please call us to make a payment. This will be temporary until our processing company gets us a new payment link.
Medically Reviewed by: Christopher J. Hart, MD, FACS (NPI: 1295797371) & William H. Johnson, MD, FACS
"The spleen is a highly vascular organ, meaning surgery requires meticulous control and advanced visualization. By utilizing laparoscopic techniques, we can remove the spleen through small incisions, which significantly reduces the risk of bleeding and minimizes postoperative pain. For our patients in Johns Creek and Cumming, this minimally invasive approach leads to a much faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activity compared to traditional open surgery."
Dr. Christopher J. Hart & Dr. William H. Johnson
The spleen is an organ located in the upper left portion of the abdomen just under the diaphragm. It mainly functions as a filter for the blood that flows through it, removing old or damaged blood cells from circulation. It also serves a role in the body’s immune function, helping the body identify and kill bacteria. In addition, it can act as a storage site for platelets and other blood cells.
There are several conditions which may require a splenectomy. Removal of the spleen is sometimes required if the platelet count is abnormally low. There are also various blood disorders that can cause the spleen to become abnormally enlarged or to act irregularly. Some conditions that may require splenectomy include
Laparoscopic splenectomy is a technique of removing the spleen through several small incisions instead of the traditionally large, open incision. This technique has multiple advantages including reduced pain after surgery, less scarring, and a quicker return to normal activities. This technique can be utilized on most patients who require a splenectomy.
Most people who have their spleens removed have no clinical side effects. Many of the functions of the spleen can be accomplished by other organs. There are certain bacterial infections that people are more susceptible to after a splenectomy. Preoperative vaccinations against the bacteria are normally administered to help decrease this incidence, and intermittent immunizations will be required postoperatively. This is particularly important in younger patients, and it is important to seek medical attention early if any infection develops.
The incidence of these bacterial infections overall is uncommon (less than 1%). The platelet count can also rise after splenectomy and should be monitored. Patients occasionally have to take aspirin products to help reduce the function of platelets.
A splenectomy is most commonly performed to treat blood disorders (such as ITP), an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), certain types of cancers or cysts, or in cases of traumatic injury. Dr. Hart and Dr. Johnson will work closely with your hematologist to determine if surgery is the best course of action.
Yes, you can live a full, healthy life without a spleen. However, because the spleen plays a role in your immune system, you may be more susceptible to certain infections. We ensure all our patients receive the necessary vaccinations and education prior to surgery to maintain long-term health.
Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic splenectomy offers smaller scars, decreased hospital stay (often just one night), less pain, and a faster return to daily routines. Our surgeons use high-definition cameras to navigate the complex blood vessels surrounding the spleen with extreme precision.
Most patients stay in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours for observation. You can typically resume light activity within a few days, though we recommend avoiding contact sports or heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks to allow the internal surgical site to heal completely.
Johns Creek Surgery, PC, located in Johns Creek, GA, attracts patients from all over the metro Atlanta area and beyond including Duluth, Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, Gainesville, Canton, and Marietta, GA. Our board certified surgeons, Dr. Christopher Hart and Dr. William H. Johnson perform medical procedures or surgeries that do not require an overnight stay.