Procedures
In some cases, it may be possible to remove part of the spleen to repair the rupture. If the bleeding is more serious, it may require the full removal of the spleen (splenectomy). Although one can survive without a spleen, it does increase the risk of infection and sepsis.
Nutrition
Complications related to living without a spleen include an increased risk of serious infections, such as sepsis. Risk of sepsis is higher in children and young adults. Your doctor may recommend ways to reduce the risk of infection, such as vaccinations against pneumonia and influenza. Removing part of the spleen.
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A ruptured spleen occurs when the surface of this organ is injured, which can lead to internal bleeding. A ruptured spleen can potentially be life-threatening if it is not treated quickly. The spleen is an organ about the size of a fist, located in the left upper abdomen, near the stomach.
Can You Survive with a ruptured spleen?
Removing part of the spleen. It might be possible to remove only part of your spleen, depending on the rupture. Partial splenectomy reduces the risk of infection that results from removing the entire spleen. Spleen surgery is generally safe, but any surgery has risks, such as bleeding, blood clots, infection and pneumonia.
What are the complications of living without a spleen?
What is a ruptured spleen?
Is it safe to remove part of the spleen?
What happens if a ruptured spleen goes untreated?
If you have an enlarged spleen, a less forceful trauma might cause rupture. Without emergency treatment, the internal bleeding caused by a ruptured spleen can be life-threatening.
Can you survive a ruptured spleen without surgery?
However, doctors now say that some spleen injuries can heal on their own, particularly those that are not very severe. People with spleen injuries who do not need surgery must still be monitored in a hospital, and they may need blood transfusions.
Can you have a ruptured spleen for months?
The amount of bleeding depends on the size of the injury. A hematoma of the spleen does not bleed into the abdomen at first but may rupture and bleed in the first few days after injury, although rupture sometimes does not occur for weeks or months.
What are the chances of surviving a ruptured spleen?
The degree of splenic injury poorly correlates with the traumatic mechanism and the hemoperitoneum volume. The chances of the immediate death is considerably low (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.0096-0.84; p<0.017).
How long can you go with a ruptured spleen?
Generally, recovery from a ruptured spleen can take anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks, depending on the severity and treatment. To promote healing, rest is encouraged, along with refraining from high-impact exercise, strenuous activities, and heavy lifting until physician approval.
Can a ruptured spleen cause death?
Spleen can rupture in 2 ways depending on its capsule injury. In the process of trauma, transcapsular spleen rupture may happen. In such case, spleen capsule and parenchyma rupture simultaneously and blood effuses into peritoneal cavity. It usually leads to acute blood loss and immediate death.
Does a ruptured spleen hurt?
The main symptom of a ruptured spleen is severe pain in the abdomen, especially on the left side. The pain may also be referred to (felt in) the left shoulder, and can make breathing painful. Other symptoms, which are associated with a decrease in blood pressure due to internal bleeding, include: Feeling lightheaded.
What is delayed splenic rupture?
Discussion. Splenic rupture is associated with significant mortality. It can present either acutely after trauma, or days to weeks later, a situation known as ''delayed splenic rupture (DSR)''. DSR is defined as the rupture of the spleen 48 hours after injury and was first described by Baudet in 1902.
Is spleen pain an emergency?
Sometimes if you lie down and raise your legs, you can feel the pain at the tip of your left shoulder. A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency, as it can cause life-threatening bleeding. Go straight to A&E if you think you have ruptured or damaged your spleen.
What are the first signs of internal bleeding?
Signs and symptoms of internal bleedingweakness, usually on one side of your body.numbness, usually on one side of your body.tingling, especially in hands and feet.severe, sudden headache.difficulty swallowing or chewing.change in vision or hearing.loss of balance, coordination, and eye focus.More items...
What are signs of internal bleeding?
What are the signs of internal bleeding? Internal bleeding can sometimes cause pain, bruising, nausea, vomiting, heavy sweating, vision changes, and altered mental states. Internal bleeding can also lead to anemia, which causes symptoms including fatigue, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and a rapid heartbeat.
What is a ruptured spleen?
A ruptured spleen can occur when there’s damage to the spleen’s surface. The spleen is an organ located in the upper left side of the abdominal cav...
What causes a ruptured spleen?
Splenic rupture is most commonly caused by an injury to the spleen. Penetrating abdominal trauma, such as a stab wound or gunshot, can cause acute...
Can a spleen spontaneously rupture?
Spontaneous splenic rupture can happen as a result of an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), which occurs when blood cells accumulate in the spleen. Th...
What are the symptoms of a ruptured spleen?
Symptoms of a ruptured spleen can vary depending on the associated injury, however, the most common symptom is pain and tenderness in the left uppe...
How do you manage a ruptured spleen?
A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening. Management for a ruptured spleen typically depends on the underlying conditio...
Can a ruptured spleen be repaired?
In more severe cases, a ruptured spleen may require surgery to repair or remove the spleen. If the bleeding is controllable, surgeons may be able t...
How long does it take to recover from a ruptured spleen?
Generally, recovery from a ruptured spleen can take anywhere from 3 to 12 weeks, depending on the severity and treatment. To promote healing, rest...
What are the most important facts to know about a ruptured spleen?
A ruptured spleen usually caused by an injury to the left upper abdomen. In some cases, an enlarged spleen can cause spontaneous splenic rupture, o...