Spleen Disorders

These are only general guidelines and not meant to replace instructions from a physician. Please talk with your physician about your specific condition.

About The Condition

Spleen DiseaseThe spleen is an organ on the left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach. It is part of your lymphatic and immune system, filtering certain types of pathogens from your blood and playing an important role in preventing infection. It also stores red blood cells and platelets, the cells that help your blood clot. Spleen disorders can include:
Spleen cancer. Cancers that may require removal of the spleen include lymphoma, Hodgkin disease and leukemia.
Spleen disease. Problems with your spleen can cause you to be more susceptible to infections. Your spleen can become enlarged, a condition called splenomegaly. When this happens, it sometimes begins to filter normal red blood cells along with irregular ones and traps too many platelets, causing your spleen to function abnormally. The spleen also can become overactive, a condition called hypersplenism. Other conditions that may require removal of your spleen include: blood clots, cirrhosis of the liver, diseases of blood cells, sickle cell anemia or trauma to the spleen.

Before Surgery

If you have spleen cancer, you may have radiation or chemotherapy prior to your surgery to reduce the size of your tumor. Please ask your physician about these treatments.

Before your surgery, you may be asked to:

Please ask your physician about any additional steps you should take before your surgery.

Surgery

Our surgeons perform open surgery, as well as minimally invasive surgeries, for spleen disorders. Your surgeon will explain your particular procedure in more detail.

Minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is performed with laparoscopy or robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System.

Open surgery. Minimally With open surgery, your physician will make an incision at the site of the abnormality large enough so he or she can see and touch your internal organs while operating.

After Surgery

If you have additional questions, please contact us at 763.780.6699.

Surgeons Who Treat Spleen Disorders

Adrianne L. Bowen, MD

SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

  • Breast cancer
  • High-risk breast disease
  • Benign breast disease
  • Endoscopy
  • Minimally invasive laparoscopic/robotic general surgery
Read More

SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

  • Advanced laparoscopy
  • Robotic assisted surgery
  • Reflux disease/GERD
  • Paraesophageal hernia
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Gallbladder surgery
  • Weight loss (bariatric) surgery
  • GI surgery
  • Abdominal wall hernias
  • Groin hernias
  • Upper endoscopy
Read More

SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

  • Breast cancer surgery
  • Endoscopy
  • Gallbladder surgery
  • Hernia repairs
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Robotic-assisted surgery
  • Thyroid surgery
  • Trauma surgery
  • Weight loss surgery
Read More
Jonathan C. Gipson, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Gastrointestinal surgery
  • Pancreas and foregut (esophagus and stomach) cancer surgery
  • Complex laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and hiatal hernia
  • Emergency surgical procedures
  • Surgical management of trauma
Read More
Kamrun Jenabzadeh, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Robotic assisted surgery
  • Advanced laparoscopy
  • Reflux disease
  • Achalasia
  • Gallbladder pathology
  • Benign and malignant gastrointestinal pathology
  • Colorectal oncology
  • Complex hernias
  • Groin hernias
  • Complex ventral and hiatal hernias
  • Endocrine, such as adrenal, thyroid and parathyroid diseases
  • Diastasis recti
  • Colonic endometriosis
Read More
Kourtney L. Kemp, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Esophageal disease and diagnostics
  • Heartburn/reflux
  • Robotic and laparoscopic surgeries
  • Hernia surgery
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Colon/bowel/gallbladder disease
Read More
Steven J. Kern, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Robotic surgery
  • Gallbladder Surgery
  • Hernia Surgery
  • Surgery for Esophageal Reflux
Read More
Matthew K. Kissner, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Minimally invasive surgery for hernia repair
  • Complex repair of ventral/incisional hernia
  • Robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery
  • Colon surgery
  • Thyroid surgery
  • Parathyroid surgery
  • Colonoscopy and upper endoscopy
Read More
Sarah J. Lippert, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Bariatric surgery
  • Advanced esophageal procedures
  • Trauma surgery
  • Hernia surgery
Read More
Corey J. Stennes, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Thyroid disease
  • Parathyroid disease
  • Adrenal disease
  • Repair of complex hernias
  • Hiatal hernia and reflux surgery
  • Gastrointestinal malignancies
Read More
rachel tay, MD

SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

  • Colon resections
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Thyroid conditions
  • Minimally invasive surgery for hernia repair
  • Complex repair of ventral/incisional hernia
  • Robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery
Read More
Back to Top