Under normal circumstances, a person’s spleen is situated in the upper left portion of the abdomen, where it’s connected to the stomach and one kidney via ligaments. If these ligaments are not present, or become weakened, it can lead to a rare condition known as wandering spleen.
Wandering spleen doesn’t always cause symptoms. However, it can sometimes cause other organs to be compressed, or blood flow to the spleen may be blocked if it becomes twisted.
When a wandering spleen causes health effects, doctors can perform a splenectomy, which entails removing the organ. With this treatment, a person may need to take medication for life to avoid infections and illness.
The spleen is not essential to a person’s survival, but it does play a crucial role in immune function. The spleen helps filter out toxins from the blood, and when it’s missing, a person is a lot more vulnerable to germs, including bacteria and viruses.
To prevent frequent infections, doctors typically prescribe antibiotics medications after the surgery. These medications must be taken on a daily basis for life to supplement a person’s immune system after spleen removal.
Doctors urge patients to take the following steps after a splenectomy:
These steps can help you stay safe and healthy after receiving treatment for wandering spleen.