Concierge surgery · United Kingdom
Elective splenectomy in the UK, by a consultant surgeon.
A planned laparoscopic — or robotic-assisted — splenectomy, with the BSH/NICE decision made properly, the Green Book vaccinations done before you come in, and lifelong prophylaxis organised on discharge.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant upper-GI or haematology surgeon
Not a general list. A named surgeon who does laparoscopic splenectomy regularly, with a haematologist alongside for the medical side.
- 02
Vaccinations and prophylaxis done properly
The Green Book schedule — PCV13, PPV23, MenACWY, MenB, Hib and annual flu — completed at least 14 days before surgery, with lifelong penicillin V arranged after.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation — including whether medical therapy should be tried first — is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private elective splenectomy costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner hospitals. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
Laparoscopic splenectomy in our network: £10,500–£14,500, home in 2–3 nights.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical theatre time | Length of stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic splenectomy — normal-size spleen | £10,500–£14,500 | 2–3 hrs | 2–3 nights |
| Laparoscopic hand-assisted splenectomy — splenomegaly | £12,500–£17,500 | 3–4 hrs | 3–4 nights |
| Robotic-assisted splenectomy | £14,000–£19,500 | 3–4 hrs | 2–3 nights |
| Partial splenectomy (selected paediatric HS) | £13,500–£18,000 | 3–4 hrs | 2–3 nights |
| Open splenectomy (conversion or massive spleen) | £11,500–£16,000 | 2–3 hrs | 4–6 nights |
| Pre-op haematology and vaccination workup | £450–£900 | 2 visits | Same week |
| Consultation only | £250–£450 | 45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by hospital, by the size of the spleen, by whether interventional radiology embolisation is arranged beforehand, and by any concurrent cholecystectomy. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right decision, made with a haematologist in the room.
Splenectomy is a lifelong decision — vaccinations, antibiotics and a MedicAlert bracelet come with it. The question of whether medical therapy should be tried first deserves a haematologist, not just a surgeon.
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Have the medical options been exhausted?
For ITP the BSH pathway is steroids, then a TPO-receptor agonist or rituximab — before surgery is offered. We confirm this properly.
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Are the vaccinations really done?
PCV13, PPV23, MenACWY, MenB, Hib and annual flu — all at least 14 days before surgery. Missed doses are common and dangerous.
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Is lifelong prophylaxis organised?
Penicillin V, a Splenectomy Card and a MedicAlert bracelet — arranged on discharge, not left to chance.
The journey
From enquiry to lifelong follow-up — what happens, in order.
One team from first message through surgery to lifelong prophylaxis — with the vaccination window respected.
Phase 1 · Before your surgery
Vaccinations and workup — at least 14 days
Phase 2 · Admission
Two to three nights in hospital
Phase 3 · After
Lifelong prophylaxis
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Diagnosis (ITP, hereditary spherocytosis, cyst, tumour), current medication, and any prior treatments.
- 02
Before
Multidisciplinary review
Within one working day: haematology and surgical review together, an indicative price, and whether NICE/BSH thresholds for splenectomy are met.
- 03
Before
Vaccination and preparation
The full pre-op vaccination schedule started at least 14 days before surgery. Anticoagulation and steroids reviewed. Bloods, imaging and anaesthetic pre-assessment arranged.
- 04
Admission
Admission and consent
Admission on the morning of surgery. Consent, marking, and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist before theatre.
- 05
Admission
The operation itself
Two to three hours in theatre — laparoscopic (or robotic-assisted) splenectomy, with a careful search for accessory spleens and, in some children, a partial splenectomy.
- 06
Admission
Recovery on the ward
Recovery, then the ward. Eating and drinking the same evening, mobilising the next morning. A drain is not routine.
- 07
After
Discharge and lifelong follow-up
Home on day two or three. Lifelong penicillin V, a Splenectomy Card, MedicAlert bracelet, and haematology follow-up arranged.
Typical end-to-end: 3–4 weeks from enquiry to surgery (the vaccination window sets the pace). Return to full activity: 4–6 weeks.
When it helps
When elective splenectomy is the right step.
The BSH/NICE indications we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than a clinic booking.
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ITP refractory to medical therapy
Immune thrombocytopenia where steroids, then a TPO-receptor agonist or rituximab, have failed — the BSH second- or third-line setting.
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Hereditary spherocytosis
Symptomatic anaemia, growth failure in children, or troublesome gallstones. Partial splenectomy is preferred in younger children.
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Sickle-cell hypersplenism
Recurrent splenic sequestration crises or symptomatic hypersplenism where transfusion is not controlling the picture.
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Splenic cyst or benign tumour
A large or symptomatic splenic cyst, or a benign lesion where surveillance is no longer appropriate.
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Hairy cell leukaemia (selected)
A rare indication now that cladribine is first-line — occasionally used for massive splenomegaly with cytopenias.
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Lymphoma staging (rare)
Once common, now vanishingly rare — imaging has replaced staging laparotomy in nearly every case.
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Splenic artery aneurysm
Elective repair sometimes requires splenectomy — planned, not the emergency trauma pathway.
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Red flag: splenic rupture or trauma
A ruptured spleen after trauma is an emergency — same-day A&E, not an elective clinic booking.
Procedure options
Not every splenectomy is the same operation.
What each surgical option actually involves — and which fits which anatomy.
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Laparoscopic splenectomy
The gold standard for a normal-sized spleen. Four small ports, the spleen mobilised, vessels divided, and the spleen morcellated into a bag for removal.
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Hand-assisted laparoscopic
A small extra incision lets the surgeon place a hand inside — useful for splenomegaly, where a purely keyhole approach is unsafe.
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Robotic-assisted splenectomy
Da Vinci platform, with articulated instruments and 3D vision. Useful for hilar dissection in awkward anatomy.
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Partial splenectomy
A spleen-preserving option offered to selected children with hereditary spherocytosis — keeps immune function while reducing haemolysis.
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Open splenectomy
A midline or left subcostal incision. Reserved for massive splenomegaly, dense adhesions, or when laparoscopic conversion is needed.
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Accessory spleen search
Around 15% of people have an accessory spleen. Missing one is a common reason ITP recurs after splenectomy — a careful search is mandatory.
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Concurrent cholecystectomy
In hereditary spherocytosis with pigment gallstones, the gallbladder is often removed at the same operation.
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Splenic artery embolisation first
Preoperative embolisation can shrink a massive spleen and reduce bleeding — arranged with interventional radiology when indicated.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of upper-GI surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant upper-GI and HPB surgeons across London and the major UK cities, each working alongside a consultant haematologist. Introductions are made privately once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our network.
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Consultant upper-GI or HPB surgeons who do laparoscopic splenectomy as a regular part of their practice
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Access to a consultant haematologist for ITP, HS and sickle-cell decision-making
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Interventional radiology on site for pre-op splenic artery embolisation when needed
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Green Book-compliant pre-op vaccination pathway with a 14-day window before surgery
Safety and lifelong care
What to expect — honestly, for life.
Elective splenectomy is a safe operation in the right hands, but it is a lifelong decision. The vaccinations, the antibiotics and the MedicAlert bracelet are what keep you safe afterwards.
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Vaccinations are non-negotiable
PCV13 then PPV23, MenACWY, MenB, Hib and annual influenza — all completed at least 14 days before surgery per the UK Green Book. Missed doses are caught up after.
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Lifelong penicillin V prophylaxis
Penicillin V twice daily for life reduces the risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection. Erythromycin or clarithromycin is used if you are penicillin-allergic.
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Splenectomy Card and MedicAlert
You are given a Splenectomy Card, a written care plan, and a MedicAlert bracelet or pendant is arranged — so any clinician knows within seconds.
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OPSI — lifetime risk 1–5%
Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection is the reason for the vaccinations and antibiotics. Any fever above 38°C is treated as an emergency for the rest of your life.
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Bleeding, capsular tear and conversion
The spleen is fragile — capsular tears and bleeding are the commonest reasons a laparoscopic case is converted to open. The conversion rate sits around 3–5%.
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Pancreatic tail and gastric fundus injury
Both sit close to the splenic hilum. Careful dissection makes injury uncommon, but a small pancreatic leak is a recognised complication.
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Post-op platelet rise and VTE
Platelets often climb sharply after surgery. TED stockings, mechanical compression and prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin are used for at least a week.
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Portal and splenic vein thrombosis
A recognised risk, especially in myeloproliferative disease and massive splenomegaly. Some patients have a screening Doppler at two weeks.
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Red flags after discharge
A temperature above 38°C, rigors, spreading abdominal pain or a swollen calf are not normal — call the clinic or A&E the same day and mention your splenectomy.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and technique
Why the spleen was removed — ITP, HS, cyst, tumour — and whether the operation was laparoscopic, hand-assisted, robotic or open.
- 02 Findings
Spleen size, accessory spleens, adhesions
Weight and size of the spleen, whether accessory spleens were found and removed, and any adhesions or difficult anatomy.
- 03 Histology
What the pathologist saw
Pigment gallstones, lymphoid follicles, tumour histology. In ITP the spleen is often macroscopically normal — the value is in ruling out lymphoma.
- 04 Impression
Vaccination status, prophylaxis, follow-up
Read this first: vaccination confirmed, penicillin V prescribed, MedicAlert arranged, and when haematology and surgical follow-up are booked.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for elective splenectomy is standard on most UK policies when the BSH/NICE indication is documented — we confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about elective splenectomy.
Quick answers on indications, vaccinations, lifelong antibiotics, and recovery.
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When is an elective splenectomy actually indicated?
The commonest indication is ITP that has failed steroids and either a TPO-receptor agonist or rituximab — the BSH second- or third-line setting. Hereditary spherocytosis with symptomatic anaemia or growth failure, sickle-cell hypersplenism, and large or symptomatic splenic cysts are the other main reasons. Staging splenectomy for lymphoma is now almost obsolete.
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What vaccinations do I need before surgery?
Per the UK Green Book: PCV13 followed by PPV23 (pneumococcal), MenACWY and MenB (meningococcal), Hib, and annual influenza. All must be completed at least 14 days before elective surgery. Missed doses are caught up after, and you are given a written schedule to keep.
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Do I really need antibiotics for life?
Yes. Lifelong penicillin V (or erythromycin/clarithromycin if you are allergic) is the UK standard. It reduces — but does not eliminate — the risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection, which carries a mortality of up to 50% when it occurs.
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Laparoscopic, robotic or open — which is right?
Laparoscopic is the gold standard for a normal-sized spleen. Hand-assisted or robotic-assisted is used for splenomegaly. Open is reserved for a massive spleen, dense adhesions, or when a laparoscopic case needs to be converted (around 3–5% of cases).
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How long will I be in hospital?
Most laparoscopic splenectomies mean two to three nights in hospital. Open surgery or hand-assisted cases for a large spleen are usually four to six nights. You can eat and drink the same evening and mobilise the next morning.
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What are the main risks?
Bleeding and capsular tears (the spleen is fragile), pancreatic tail or gastric fundus injury, post-operative infection, venous thromboembolism from the platelet rise, and portal or splenic vein thrombosis — the last is more common with myeloproliferative disease.
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Is a partial splenectomy an option?
For selected children with hereditary spherocytosis, yes — it preserves immune function while reducing haemolysis. It is not a standard option for adults with ITP.
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What does it cost privately in the UK?
Roughly £10,500–£14,500 for a laparoscopic splenectomy on a normal-sized spleen, £12,500–£17,500 for a hand-assisted case for splenomegaly, and £14,000–£19,500 for robotic-assisted. We confirm a firm figure within one working day and check your insurance cover before booking.
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