Splenectomy Treatment in Turkey
About Splenectomy
Key Highlights
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Definitive Treatment: Offers a permanent solution for conditions like hereditary spherocytosis, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and hypersplenism.Symptom Relief: Alleviates abdominal pain, early satiety, and fatigue caused by an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).Minimally Invasive Option: Laparoscopic splenectomy reduces post-operative pain, scarring, and recovery time compared to open surgery.listrongImproved Blood Counts:/strong Can correct anemia, low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cell counts./lilistrongDiagnostic Clarity:/strong Allows for pathological examination of the spleen to confirm diagnoses like lymphoma./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Trauma: Ruptured spleen from abdominal injury.
- Blood Disorders: Hereditary spherocytosis, thalassemia, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) unresponsive to medication, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
- Cancers: Certain lymphomas (like hairy cell leukemia) or leukemias involving the spleen.
- Splenic Cysts or Tumors: Large, symptomatic, or suspicious growths.
- Hypersplenism: Overactive spleen destroying blood cells.
- Infection: A large abscess that does not respond to antibiotics.
How to prepare
- Medical Evaluation: Complete blood tests, imaging (CT or ultrasound), and cardiac/pulmonary assessment.
- Vaccinations: Receive vaccinations against pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and meningococcus at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- Medication Review: Discuss all current medications with your doctor; you may need to stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) temporarily.
- Fasting: No food or drink (as instructed) for 6-12 hours before the procedure.
- Informed Consent: Detailed discussion of the procedure's risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding (Hemorrhage): During or after surgery.
- Infection: At the incision site or within the abdomen.
- Injury to Nearby Organs: Such as the stomach, pancreas, or colon.
- Blood Clots: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism.
- Overwhelming Post-Splenectomy Infection (OPSI): A rare but life-threatening risk of severe bacterial infection, necessitating lifelong vigilance.
- Anesthesia Risks: Reactions to anesthesia medications.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital Stay: Typically 2-4 days for laparoscopic surgery; longer for open procedures.
- Pain Management: Prescribed pain medication and use of a pillow for support when coughing or moving.
- Activity: Avoid heavy lifting (more than 10 lbs) and strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks. Walking is encouraged.
- Wound Care: Keep incisions clean and dry; watch for signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge).
- Lifelong Precautions: Carry a medical alert card, stay up-to-date on vaccinations, and seek immediate medical attention for any fever, as it may indicate a serious infection.
- Follow-up: Schedule a post-operative visit with your Surgical Gastroenterologist to monitor recovery.
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Typical hospital stay:
2-4 days
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Expected recovery time:
4-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering splenectomy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with surgical gastroenterology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform splenectomy. MediFyr helps you compare surgical gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for splenectomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Anika Brown, a 42-year-old high school...
Anika Brown, a 42-year-old high school biology teacher and mother of two, had been battling a mysterious illness for months. She experienced constant, debilitating fatigue, frequent infections, and unexplained bruises. Blood tests revealed severe thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and a diagnosis of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) was made. Despite trying high-dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, her platelet counts remained dangerously low, putting her at risk for spontaneous bleeding. Her surgical gastroenterologist, Dr. Evans, recommended a splenectomy as the next definitive step, explaining that removing the spleen, which was destroying her platelets, offered the best chance for a lasting remission. Anika underwent a laparoscopic splenectomy. The surgery went smoothly, and she was discharged after three days. Recovery at home was challenging for the first two weeks due to abdominal soreness and fatigue, but she gradually regained her strength. Six weeks post-op, her platelet counts normalized and have remained stable. Emotionally, Anika was terrified before the surgery, fearing the permanence of the procedure and its impact on her immune system. Afterward, she felt a profound sense of relief and gratitude as her energy returned and she could fully engage with her family and students again, though she remains vigilant about vaccinations and infection signs.