Most common immediate complication of splenctomy:
When splenectomy is performed, we are prone to injure the tail of pancreas, there is a high chance of Acute pancreatitis to occur or a duct maybecut leading to fistula. Sometimes, the blood may be collected below the diaphragm which may lead to sub-diaphragmatic abscess. Since, the spleen is in relation to the left dome of the diaphragm, due to pain post-operatively there is ipsilateral collapse of left lung leading to ATELECTASIS. Generally, after splenectomy, there is a rise in platelet count- if indicated for ITP, the patient is immobilized which increases the risk of DVT & Embolism. Complications of Splenectomy are: - 1. Lung related complications of Splenectomy: ATELECTASIS MC REACTIVE PLEURAL EFFUSION CONSOLIDATION 2. Pancreas related complications: ACUTE PANCREATITIS INJURY TO TAIL OF PANCREAS PANCREATIC FISTULA 3. Diaphragm related complications: SUB-DIAPHRAGMATIC ABCESS 4. Thrombo-embolic complications: STASIS THROMBOCYTOSIS | DVT - |PE 5.OPSI (Overwhelming Post Splenectomy Infection): Caused by capsulated organisms such as S. pneumoniae, N. meningitides, H. influenza
Hemorrhage
Fistula
Bleeing from gastric mucosa
Pancreatitis
FMGE 2018