Spleen removal (splenectomy)

A splenectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the spleen, an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen. The spleen plays a role in filtering blood, managing blood cells, and supporting the immune system. Sometimes, it needs to be removed due to conditions like traumatic injury, blood disorders, infections, or cancer. The surgery can be performed using traditional open surgery or minimally invasive techniques with small incisions. After removal, other organs take over many of the spleen's functions, and patients may need vaccinations and monitoring to help protect against infections.