Is it beneficial to perform a splenectomy for an enlarged spleen caused by cirrhosis?
Generally speaking, whether splenectomy is beneficial for patients with cirrhosis and significantly enlarged spleen needs to be determined based on individual circumstances. If the condition is stable without significant complications, splenectomy might be beneficial; however, if liver function is severely impaired or serious complications exist, splenectomy might be detrimental. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation at a hospital is recommended, where standardized treatment can be conducted under a physician's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
For some patients with cirrhosis, if hypersplenism causes reduced blood cell counts and liver function remains relatively stable without severe complications such as significant ascites or ruptured esophageal varices, splenectomy may be considered. This may help alleviate symptoms of hypersplenism and increase platelet counts.
However, for patients with end-stage cirrhosis characterized by severely impaired liver function or accompanied by severe complications such as active upper gastrointestinal bleeding, refractory ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy, splenectomy poses a higher risk. It may lead to increased postoperative complications and could even accelerate liver failure.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a positive mindset, and a balanced diet can help prevent the occurrence of disease.