Living Without a Spleen

Asplenia, or the absence of a spleen, may be the result of functional or anatomical deficiency in spleen function.

Image Credit: By gritsalak karalak / Shutterstock

Precautions

Following splenectomy, the patient loses the immune capability of the spleen with respect to antibody production and lymphocyte activation.

In most cases, the risk of infection is low, however, the risk of quickly escalating overwhelming infection is 1-5 percent over 10 years. It is highest in children below 16 years, or in those with other conditions such as sickle cell anemia or celiac disease.

For this reason, a splenectomized patient should take certain precautions:

Information About Asplenic Status

Always wear a medical bracelet or necklace, or carry a medical card with you, so that others know of your post-splenectomy status should you be unable to tell them during an emergency.

Always make sure your healthcare providers are aware that you lack a spleen before the start of any treatment.

Human Spleen Anatomy Illustration. 3D rendering – Image Credit: Nerthuz / Shutterstock

Immunization

Immunization against the following infections is wise, in consultation with your healthcare provider. These should be administered at the right intervals for complete protection:

• Hemophilus influenza type B
• Meningococcus type C
• Pneumococcus
• Seasonal influenza

Antibiotics

Take regular prophylactic antibiotics daily as recommended to prevent serious infections for the first few years after splenectomy, and up to 16 years of age for younger children, because this is the period of highest risk. If the medications are stopped, the physician should be informed at once.

It is recommended that you keep a supply of appropriate antibiotics with you in case of illness without access to immediate medical consultation. You should also know how much of each can be taken at once.

Signs of possible infectious illness include fever with chills, sore throat, abdominal pain or cough of acute onset, and severe headache. If any of these are present, the first dose should be taken appropriately from the available supply.

Then the symptoms need to be reported at once to the doctor and further tests obtained or treatment continued, always reminding the healthcare provider of your asplenia.

Treatment of Infection

All symptoms of illness should be reported as early as possible to your physician to prevent them from worsening rapidly unnoticed. The earlier the diagnosis, the less the chance of serious infection.

Any traumatic injury, especially dog or insect bites, should be immediately treated. When outdoors, protection against tick bite and mosquito bite is strongly advised.

Foreign Travel

If foreign travel is required, medical advice is mandatory to ensure that proper immunization and prophylactic anti-malarials are provided.

A supply of extra antibiotics is always essential for early treatment of infection, while daily prophylactic antibiotics should always be continued.

Malaria and meningococci can affect asplenic people much more severely than others.

Your medical card might need translation into the local language of the region you intend to visit if English is not widely used in that area.

References

• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/399191/Splenectomy_DL_Leaflet_06_WEB__2_.pdf
• http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/Pages/spleen-removal.aspx
• http://www.defence.gov.au/health/infocentre/journals/adfhj_apr02/adfhealthapr02_3_1_05-08.pdf
• http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/Pages/spleen-removal.aspx

Further Reading

• All Spleen Content
• Splenectomy (Spleen Removal)
• Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly)
• Causes of Spleen Pain
• How is an Enlarged Spleen Diagnosed?

Written by

Dr. Liji Thomas

Dr. Liji Thomas is an OB-GYN, who graduated from the Government Medical College, University of Calicut, Kerala, in 2001. Liji practiced as a full-time consultant in obstetrics/gynecology in a private hospital for a few years following her graduation. She has counseled hundreds of patients facing issues from pregnancy-related problems and infertility, and has been in charge of over 2,000 deliveries, striving always to achieve a normal delivery rather than operative.