Surgical removal of the spleen. Splenectomy is performed after the spleen has been seriously injured or to treat hypersplenism or certain forms of anaemia. The absence of the spleen does not normally cause problems; its function is largely taken over by other parts of the lymphatic system and by the liver. People who have had a splenectomy are more susceptible to certain infections and are given pneumococcal vaccine and long-term antibiotics.
Splenectomy |
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