OK to dive without a Spleen?

[BLOWN03GT]

I have a friend that wants to learn to dive. Only problem is she had her spleen removed and is wondering if there would be any problems. Only thing I could say was go get a physical. Would the lack of spleen keep her from diving?

 

[cutlass]

Of course, her decision should be made in consultation with her doctor who is hands-on familiar with her situation. But IME, trauma is the major reason for splenectomy. Assuming she's healed well and there are no other complications resulting from the event, a loss in this case generally shouldn't prevent her from diving. Other reasons for removing the spleen mostly involve malignancy, blood, or immune system disorders. These might need to be reviewed further.

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

I'm a cardiologist so this is clearly out of my specialty. However, from dusting off the cobwebs I would think the most common reasons for splenectomy would be trauma or ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). Assuming she has no other problems, a splenectomy by itself should not be a contraindication to diving. There is an increased risk of infections from encapsulated organisms such as pneumococcal pneumonia so the Pnuemovax vaccine is a good idea but this has nothing to do with diving. Any hematologists out there with a different opinion?

 

[BLOWN03GT]

She's had it taken out last year and is recovered from the surgery. She is looking to do her OW and it was one of the questions she asked me. Wasn't sure how diving would affect her body without the spleen. I googled it and can't find anything. I guess that's a good thing. Thanks for the replies.

 

[wve]

I'm a cardiologist so this is clearly out of my specialty. However, from dusting off the cobwebs I would think the most common reasons for splenectomy would be trauma or ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura). Assuming she has no other problems, a splenectomy by itself should not be a contraindication to diving. There is an increased risk of infections from encapsulated organisms such as pneumococcal pneumonia so the Pnuemovax vaccine is a good idea but this has nothing to do with diving. Any hematologists out there with a different opinion?

I'm a hematologist, and I agree with you.

The spleen is not necessary for diving. The more important question, as you and others observed, is why the spleen was removed in the first place.

If it was because of trauma, and if there was full recovery, then I see no problem. If the spleen was removed in order to treat some other disease process -- such as ITP, a hemoglobinopathy, or a myeloproliferative disorder -- then diving might not be advisable.

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Thanks wve. It's been a long time since I did hematology. Glad to hear I wasn't too far off base!

doug