About Spleenectomy (Spleen Removal)
Spleen removal, also known as splenectomy, is the partial or full removal of the spleen. Conditions that would prompt our Chesapeake patients to undergo this procedure with board-certified surgeon Dr. Surya Challa are idiopathic thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, spleen cancer (Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia), enlarged spleen, hypersplenism, hereditary spherocytosis, sickle cell disease, thalassemia as well as trauma to the spleen, such as injuries sustained in a car accident.
Laparoscopic spleen removal is the minimally invasive, advanced and state-of-the-art technique for partial or full spleen removal surgery in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan area of Virginia. During this procedure, a small cannula is placed inside the abdomen, which is then inflated with carbon dioxide gas to create a safe and open space to operate. A laparoscope (a tiny medical instrument connected to a video camera) is then placed through a small incision to project an image of the internal organs and spleen on a digital monitor. Several small cannulas are inserted into different locations on the abdomen, allowing Dr. Challa to remove the spleen with enhanced precision and visibility.
By performing this operation utilizing the laparoscope, Dr. Challa is able to offer our Chesapeake patients a shorter hospital stay, a quicker return to their regular diet and better cosmetic results, i.e. less scarring. It should be noted that there is no guarantee that open methods won’t be necessary for certain patients.
In addition, Dr. Challa also utilizes vessel sealers to minimize intraoperative and post-operative bleeding and promote a faster, more comfortable recovery with less risk of side effects.
FAQ: Spleen Removal in Chesapeake, VA
Is Chesapeake spleen removal performed under general anesthesia?
Yes. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia.
What are the differences between open surgery and laparoscopic surgery?
Whereas traditional open surgery utilizes a large, “open” incision, laparoscopic surgery is performed through a series of much smaller incisions. Laparoscopic surgery offers a reduced recovery time, significantly less scarring and many other benefits.
How long does this surgery take?
Because of the increased visibility and enhanced precision that laraparascopic surgery allows, the procedure itself typically takes around two hours.
What is the recovery like following this surgery?
Our Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, VA spleen removal surgery patients typically resume their normal activities within one to two weeks following their procedure. Strenuous activities like exercise should resume no sooner than 4 weeks following spleen removal surgery.
Will I need multiple surgeries?
Once the spleen or the necessary portion of the spleen has been removed during surgery, the conditions caused by the enlarged spleen should resolve. Occasionally, spleen tissue elsewhere in the body may require further treatments.
Is there scarring following this surgery?
Yes, there is scarring at the sites of the cannulas following laparoscopic splenic surgery or with open surgery. Every effort is made to minimize the appearance of the scars.
Is a hospital stay required?
Typically a hospital stay between 1 to 3 days is required.
What regions of Virginia does Chesapeake Vein Center serve?
Chesapeake Vein Center & MedSpa and adjoining Chesapeake Regional Medical Center in Chesapeake, VA are convenient to Virginia Beach, VA and Norfolk County.
What makes Chesapeake Vein Center and MedSpa different?
Dr. Challa rigorously reviews all medical protocols at Chesapeake Vein Center and MedSpa prior to application. An advantage of having a surgeon such as Dr. Challa actively practicing at the same site is the higher standard that medical offices typically adhere to. You can be assured that these practices are safe, effective and tested.
Is Dr. Surya Challa actively practicing in Chesapeake, Virginia?
Yes! Dr. Challa actively sees and treats patients at Chesapeake Vein Center and MedSpa. This means that our office adheres to a higher standard of care, equal to that of medical offices. Other medical spas are often ‘overseen’ by a medical director, or may be simply ‘associated’ with a medical director; neither of these situations carries any guarantee that the medical director even practices out of that location.