Ruptured Spleen: Don't ignore pain on the left side of your abdomen!

We all know about the major organs in our body like the heart, lungs, and kidneys. But when you hear the word "spleen," you may not have much of an idea. But this is a small organ that silently performs a very important function in our body. However, any danger to it can be a big threat to life. Today we are talking about a ruptured spleen.

Simply put, what is this spleen?

The spleen is located on the upper left side of your abdomen, just below your rib cage. It's a very small organ about the size of your fist. Its main function is to store and filter blood. It stores about 25% of the red blood cells and platelets in our body at any one time. It also helps make white blood cells that fight disease.

Think of it like a filter that cleans the blood. The soft part inside the spleen that does this job is covered by a thin layer of muscle. But because it's so delicate, it can be easily injured by even the slightest accident.

So what is a splenic rupture?

If, due to some accident or other reason, the thin covering that surrounds the spleen is torn, we call it a splenic rupture. When this happens, a large amount of blood inside the spleen starts to leak into the abdomen. This is a medical emergency that can cause very dangerous internal bleeding , even life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential to know about this and get treatment as soon as possible.

What causes a ruptured spleen?

In most cases, the main cause of a ruptured spleen is severe external trauma.

• Car accidents: Of these, 50% - 75% are caused by car accidents.
• Sports accidents: This risk is especially high in contact sports like rugby and football.
• Assaults: Kicks, stabbings, or gunshots to the stomach with a hard hand.
• Falls: Like falling from a height.

Sometimes the spleen can rupture immediately after the accident. But other times, the spleen can swell after the accident and rupture even hours later.

Can a spleen rupture without any danger?

Yes, it's very rare, but it can happen. It's called spontaneous splenic rupture . This happens when the spleen becomes enlarged, swollen, and its outer covering weakens due to another medical condition in the body, causing it to rupture spontaneously. Here are some possible conditions:

• Cancer: Cancerous conditions such as lymphoma.
• Infections: Infections such as mononucleosis or malaria.
• Other diseases: Chronic diseases such as liver disease (Hepatitis) or pancreatitis.

What are the symptoms of a ruptured spleen?

The main thing you feel when your spleen ruptures is a sharp pain in the upper left part of your abdomen . But imagine if you had an accident and broken a rib, it might be difficult to distinguish between that pain and the pain from your spleen.

Another characteristic is that the pain may feel like it's going to your left shoulder after a while. This is called Kehr's sign in medical terms. Simply put, when the spleen bleeds, it compresses a nerve that runs from the neck to the chest (phrenic nerve). That's why the pain feels like it's going to your shoulder. You may also feel like the pain is getting worse when you breathe.

In addition to this main pain, other symptoms may occur due to bleeding inside the body and a sudden drop in blood pressure.

If you suspect a ruptured spleen, what to do immediately!

If you have severe pain in the upper left part of your abdomen after an accident, or if the pain seems to be spreading to your left shoulder, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately without delay. Call an ambulance if necessary.

When you go to the hospital, tell the doctors clearly about your symptoms, recent injuries, and any other medical conditions you have. If necessary, the medical team will administer saline or blood transfusions to control low blood pressure due to bleeding.

How do doctors find this?

If your blood pressure and heart rate are normal, the doctor will first examine you. Then, they will perform a special ultrasound scan (FAST ultrasound), which is often used in emergency situations. This can quickly detect any bleeding inside the abdomen.

If the scan shows bleeding and your condition is critical, doctors know that this is a ruptured spleen and needs immediate treatment. If your condition is stable, but there is a suspicion that your spleen has been damaged, a CT scan may be done to see exactly how serious the injury is. It grades the severity of the injury with numbers from I to V.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Some small lacerations may heal on their own. However, larger lacerations require emergency treatment. The most severe (grade V) lacerations may require removal of the spleen.

Can you live after having your spleen removed?

Yes, it is definitely possible. You can live without a spleen. But it does affect your immune system . Since the spleen protects us from infections, removing it slightly increases the risk of developing diseases.

Therefore, after surgery, the doctor will advise you to get some special vaccines. Also, if an infection develops, he will advise you to take antibiotics immediately without delay.

The healing time can vary from 3 to 12 weeks depending on the severity of the injury. If you have surgery, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days.