Consequences of a ruptured spleen

In some cases, a rupture of the spleen can be effectively treated by surgical intervention and the organ preserved. However, in the case of a complicated rupture of the spleen, the organ must be completely removed in some patients. The removal of the spleen in the course of a splenic rupture can have serious consequences for the organism.

For this reason, the decision to remove the spleen is now made rather cautiously, even in the case of a complicated splenic rupture. Especially when children and adolescents are affected by a ruptured spleen, certain precautionary measures must be taken after the removal of the organ. Since the spleen plays a decisive role in the body’s own immune system, the consequences of a complicated rupture of the spleen can have a lasting effect on the immune defence.For this reason, affected patients must expect a lifelong increased risk of developing serious bacterial infections.

In particular, a significant increase in the risk of developing blood poisoning (technical term: sepsis) is one of the most important consequences of a complicated rupture of the spleen. In addition, there is a proven increased risk of meningitis for affected patients. The limitation of the body’s immune defenses caused by the removal of the spleen and the associated consequences are summarized in the so-called “overwhelming postsplenectomy infection/OPSI” syndrome.

Especially in children between the ages of 1 and 5, in whom a removal of the spleen is unavoidable after a complicated rupture of the spleen, this immunodeficiency can have serious consequences. In addition to the formation of important immune cells, the spleen also plays a decisive role in blood clotting. If the organ has to be removed in the course of a complicated splenic rupture, this can result in an increased tendency to develop blood clots.

This phenomenon, in turn, causes a significant increase for the development of portal vein thrombosis (thrombosis in the liver vein), heart attack and/or stroke. However, these consequences of a ruptured spleen can be prevented. Particularly in children and adolescents, special attention should be paid to the regular intake of penicillin.

The antibiotic treatment can help to prevent serious bacterial infections. If one of the affected children has a penicillin allergy, other active ingredients must be taken. In addition, patients should be vaccinated as extensively as possible after a splenectomy.

In this context, vaccination against pneumococcus (pathogen causing pneumonia), meningococcus (pathogen causing meningitis) and Haemophilus influenzae (pathogen causing pneumonia, croup, meningitis and joint inflammation) play a decisive role. In addition, patients with a complicated rupture of the spleen with complete removal of the organ should be medically examined at regular intervals. Only these measures can prevent the most serious consequences of a ruptured spleen.