Definition of spleen
The spleen is an organ that is located on the left side in the abdominal cavity below the diaphragm, above the descending colon and just behind the ribs, measures approximately 11 cm and is not possible to feel it touching the abdomen. What is the function of the spleen
This organ is part of the system immune or system of defenses as well as the lymphatic system.
1 acts in the production of white blood cells, also is capable of producing red blood cells in some circumstances.
2 remove the circulating red blood cells and platelets which are aged or have any anomaly.
3 removes germs that are circulating in the blood.
4 participate in the production of antibodies, especially immunoglobulin M
5 it is a reserve of blood can contain up to about 350 ml which are contributed to the movement in the case of a hemorrhage or a State of dehydration.
Rupture of the spleen is a surgical emergency
The spleen is an organ much friable, i.e. it is able to bleed profusely to a trauma or injury by putting at risk life.
One of the conditions in which this body is frequently injured is in the case of closed injury of abdomen during fall or as a result of motor vehicle accidents, especially if it is enlarged (a condition known as splenomegaly), this last occurs as a result of infectious diseases such as Mononucleosis, Malaria, Leishmaniasis and the Bilharzia, tumor diseases as leukemias and lymphomas or conditions that affect the liver, increasing the pressure of the veins of the abdomen.
Rupture of the spleen is an emergency that is treated by removing the organ, although this causes a weakness in the immune system, it is possible to lead a normal life without this body.
When the size of the spleen is increased by any disease, it usually need to be removed to decrease the compression exerted on neighbouring organs that usually affect its operation, as well as to prevent a hemorrhage rupture; It is also necessary to remove it in some diseases of the immune system that occurs an abnormal destruction of red blood cells and platelets. Surgery that is carried out to remove the spleen is known as a Splenectomy.
Care that persons who do not have spleen should have
The absence of spleen leads to increased susceptibility to suffer from infectious diseases by encapsulated bacteria, as it is the case of pneumococcal, meningococcal, and Haemophilus, for this reason in these individuals is recommended to prevent these infections through vaccination.
Patients who do not have spleen should receive the vaccine against Pneumococcus every 5 years as well as meningitis and Haemophilus vaccines only once in life. This vaccination must be given before surgery, in case be withdrawn by one emergency is recommended its application within the first 7 days of the postoperative period.
This organ is part of the system immune or system of defenses as well as the lymphatic system.
1 acts in the production of white blood cells, also is capable of producing red blood cells in some circumstances.
2 remove the circulating red blood cells and platelets which are aged or have any anomaly.
3 removes germs that are circulating in the blood.
4 participate in the production of antibodies, especially immunoglobulin M
5 it is a reserve of blood can contain up to about 350 ml which are contributed to the movement in the case of a hemorrhage or a State of dehydration.
Rupture of the spleen is a surgical emergency
The spleen is an organ much friable, i.e. it is able to bleed profusely to a trauma or injury by putting at risk life.
One of the conditions in which this body is frequently injured is in the case of closed injury of abdomen during fall or as a result of motor vehicle accidents, especially if it is enlarged (a condition known as splenomegaly), this last occurs as a result of infectious diseases such as Mononucleosis, Malaria, Leishmaniasis and the Bilharzia, tumor diseases as leukemias and lymphomas or conditions that affect the liver, increasing the pressure of the veins of the abdomen.
Rupture of the spleen is an emergency that is treated by removing the organ, although this causes a weakness in the immune system, it is possible to lead a normal life without this body.
When the size of the spleen is increased by any disease, it usually need to be removed to decrease the compression exerted on neighbouring organs that usually affect its operation, as well as to prevent a hemorrhage rupture; It is also necessary to remove it in some diseases of the immune system that occurs an abnormal destruction of red blood cells and platelets. Surgery that is carried out to remove the spleen is known as a Splenectomy.
Care that persons who do not have spleen should have
The absence of spleen leads to increased susceptibility to suffer from infectious diseases by encapsulated bacteria, as it is the case of pneumococcal, meningococcal, and Haemophilus, for this reason in these individuals is recommended to prevent these infections through vaccination.
Patients who do not have spleen should receive the vaccine against Pneumococcus every 5 years as well as meningitis and Haemophilus vaccines only once in life. This vaccination must be given before surgery, in case be withdrawn by one emergency is recommended its application within the first 7 days of the postoperative period.