Skip to main content

Spleen

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Cognitive Pearls in General Surgery

Abstract

This chapter covers the embryologic development of the spleen, characterized by the fusion of multiple primordia, and discusses the anatomical and surgical corollaries. A description of the ligaments and visceral relations of the spleen is given, with emphasis on the surgical technique of splenic exposure and excision. A discussion of the immunologic function and dysfunction of the spleen and the consequences of its removal is provided, with emphasis on overwhelming post splenectomy infection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. McClusky 3rd DA, Skandalakis LJ, Colborn GL, Skandalakis JE. Tribute to a triad: history of splenic anatomy, physiology, and surgery-part 2. World J Surg. 1999;23:514–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. McClusky 3rd DA, Skandalakis LJ, Colborn GL, Skandalakis JE. Tribute to a triad: history of splenic anatomy, physiology, and surgery–part 1. World J Surg. 1999;23:311–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Poulin EC, Thibault C. The anatomical basis for laparoscopic splenectomy. Can J Surg. 1993;36:484–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Skandalakis PN, Colborn GL, Skandalakis LJ, Richardson DD, Mitchell Jr WE, Skandalakis JE. The surgical anatomy of the spleen. Surg Clin N Am. 1993;73:747–68.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Misawa T, Yoshida K, Shiba H, Kobayashi S, Yanaga K. Wandering spleen with chronic torsion. Am J Surg. 2008;195:504–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Soleimani M, Mehrabi A, Kashfi A, Fonouni H, Buchler MW, Kraus TW. Surgical treatment of patients with wandering spleen: report of six cases with a review of the literature. Surg Today. 2007;37:261–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Wani S, Abdulkarim AB, Buckles D. Gastric variceal hemorrhage secondary to torsion of wandering spleen. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008;6:A24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Gayer G, Hertz M, Strauss S, Zissin R. Congenital anomalies of the spleen. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2006;27:358–69.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Gilbert B, Menetrey C, Belin V, Brosset P, de Lumley L, Fisher A. Familial isolated congenital asplenia: a rare, frequently hereditary dominant condition, often detected too late as a cause of overwhelming pneumococcal sepsis. Report of a new case and review of 31 others. Eur J Pediatr. 2002;161:368–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Phoon CK, Neill CA. Asplenia syndrome: insight into embryology through an analysis of cardiac and extracardiac anomalies. Am J Cardiol. 1994;73:581–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Thiruppathy K, Privitera A, Jain K, Gupta S. Congenital asplenia and group B streptococcus sepsis in the adult: case report and review of the literature. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2008;53:437–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Fremont RD, Rice TW. Splenosis: a review. South Med J. 2007;100:589–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Cloutier DR, Baird TB, Gormley P, McCarten KM, Bussey JG, Luks FI. Pediatric splenic injuries with a contrast blush: successful nonoperative management without angiography and embolization. J Pediatr Surg. 2004;39:969–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hilmes MA, Strouse PJ. The pediatric spleen. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2007;28:3–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Okabayashi T, Hanazaki K. Overwhelming postsplenectomy infection syndrome in adults - a clinically preventable disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2008;14:176–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Brigden ML, Pattullo AL. Prevention and management of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection–an update. Crit Care Med. 1999;27:836–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Demar M, Legrand E, Hommel D, Esterre P, Carme B. Plasmodium falciparum malaria in splenectomized patients: two case reports in French Guiana and a literature review. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2004;71:290–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Rosner F, Zarrabi MH, Benach JL, Habicht GS. Babesiosis in splenectomized adults. Review of 22 reported cases. Am J Med. 1984;76:696–701.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Uranues S, Alimoglu O. Laparoscopic surgery of the spleen. Surg Clin N Am. 2005;85:75–90. ix.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Katz SC, Pachter HL. Indications for splenectomy. Am Surg. 2006;72:565–80.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Eichner ER. Splenic function: normal, too much and too little. Am J Med. 1979;66:311–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Stanley JC, Wakefield TW, Graham LM, Whitehouse Jr WM, Zelenock GB, Lindenauer SM. Clinical importance and management of splanchnic artery aneurysms. J Vasc Surg. 1986;3:836–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Annicchiarico BE, Avolio AW, Caracciolo G, et al. Late development of splenic artery aneurysm after orthotopic liver transplantation: a case report. Transplant Proc. 2009;41:1383–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Kim MK, Kwak BK, Shim HJ, Park SJ. Endovascular treatment of a distal splenic artery aneurysm with use of a stent-graft. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2009;20:687–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Berceli SA. Hepatic and splenic artery aneurysms. Semin Vasc Surg. 2005;18:196–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Delis SG, Maniatis PN, Triantopoulou C, Papailiou J, Dervenis C. Splenic abscess in a patient with fecal peritonitis. World J Gastroenterol. 2007;13:1626–7.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Escamilla-Lopez M, de la O-cavazos ME, Hinojosa-Lezama M, Gonzalez-Velazco RN, Abrego-Moya V. Splenic abscesses. A case report and review of the literature. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 1992;49:502–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Thanos L, Dailiana T, Papaioannou G, Nikita A, Koutrouvelis H, Kelekis DA. Percutaneous CT-guided drainage of splenic abscess. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002;179:629–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Bynum B. Splenitis. Lancet. 2002;359:1953.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. El Tayar AR, Labruzzo C, Haritopoulos K, Papalois V, Hakim NS. Perisplenitis as a cause of acute abdomen: a case report. Int Surg. 2002;87:205–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Feig JA, Cina SJ. Evaluation of characteristics associated with acute splenitis (septic spleen) as markers of systemic infection. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2001;125:888–91.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Coyne JD. Crohn’s disease with inflammatory splenic granuloma. J Clin Pathol. 2006;59:889.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Coat N, Le Berre-Heresbach N, Poinsignon Y, et al. Crohn’s disease complicated by multiple and recurrent aseptic splenic abscesses. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2001;25:425–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Maker, V.K., Guzman-Arrieta, E.D. (2015). Spleen. In: Cognitive Pearls in General Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1850-8_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1850-8_19

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1849-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1850-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics