Spleen and gall bladder removal

Certain haemolytic diseases in children, such as globular cell anaemia, lead to haemolytic crises and stone formation in the gallbladder and bile ducts due to the breakdown of red blood cells.

Symptoms are varied and range from fatigue and reduced performance to chills, fever and abdominal pain. Consequences of these haemolytic diseases include an enlarged spleen (known as splenomegaly), jaundice and gallstones.

The spleen is removed in the case of diseases of the red blood cells or platelets, such as hereditary spherocytosis, sickle cell anaemia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Gallbladder removal is performed in cases of gallstone disease and gallbladder inflammation, such as symptomatic cholecystolithiasis, acute or chronic cholecystitis or choledocholithiasis.

There is no causal treatment for globular cell anaemia. In order to prolong the survival of the red blood cells and avoid symptoms and complications, the removal of the spleen and gallbladder is recommended in severe cases. Following an interdisciplinary case discussion, our paediatric surgery team offers the removal of the gallbladder and spleen in a single procedure using a minimally invasive technique. As complete removal of the spleen is associated with an increased risk of serious infections later in life, only part of the spleen is removed at the UKBB (so-called partial splenectomy).

After gallbladder and partial spleen removal, patients are hospitalised for two to three days. Afterwards, they are not allowed to exercise for around twelve days.

The prognosis is very good. The removal of the gallbladder has no negative consequences for later life. Special diets are not necessary. As our team only removes part of the spleen, no serious infections are to be expected in future life.