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Splenectomy - planned, vaccinated, followed up for life.

Laparoscopic or open removal of the spleen by a consultant surgeon, with the vaccination programme, prophylactic antibiotics and lifelong follow-up planned before you consent.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What a private splenectomy costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our partner UK units.

In short

£9,500–£15,000, home in 2–3 nights.

Procedure Indicative range
Laparoscopic splenectomy (benign) £9,500–£15,000
Laparoscopic splenectomy (ITP) £10,500–£16,000
Open splenectomy £11,000–£18,000
Splenectomy for splenomegaly / lymphoma £14,000–£22,000
Partial splenectomy £12,000–£20,000
Splenic artery embolisation £6,500–£12,000
Pre-op vaccination programme £350–£700
Surgical consultation £280–£450

Prices vary by hospital, by consultant, by whether the spleen is very large, and by whether it is done open or laparoscopically. Emergency and trauma splenectomies are quoted separately.

The problem

The vaccinations, the prophylaxis, and the lifelong plan - all up front.

Splenectomy is where the operation is the easy part. The consequential decisions are the vaccination schedule, prophylactic antibiotics and the emergency plan for the rest of your life.

  • Vaccinate first, operate second

    Two weeks of vaccine cover before elective surgery. If we cannot wait, we vaccinate two weeks after.

  • Lifelong prophylactic antibiotics

    Daily penicillin V (or alternative) for most patients, plus an emergency amoxicillin pack for febrile illness.

  • An OPSI plan the whole family knows

    Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection is the danger. Everyone at home knows the plan and the pack.

When it helps

When splenectomy is the right step.

The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means urgent review rather than a routine booking.

  • Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

    Refractory or steroid-dependent ITP where haematology has exhausted medical options.

  • Hereditary spherocytosis

    Symptomatic haemolysis, gallstones or growth failure in children - splenectomy transforms symptoms.

  • Splenic lymphoma

    Splenic marginal zone and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the spleen - often both diagnostic and therapeutic.

  • Symptomatic splenomegaly

    A very large spleen causing early satiety, discomfort or cytopenias.

  • Splenic cyst or abscess

    Large symptomatic cysts or abscesses failing drainage - partial or total splenectomy.

  • Traumatic splenic injury

    Grade IV–V splenic injury or failed conservative management after blunt trauma.

  • Sickle cell sequestration crisis

    Recurrent sequestration crises in sickle cell disease - usually paediatric.

  • Red flag: OPSI symptoms after splenectomy

    Fever, rigors or feeling suddenly very unwell after splenectomy is a same-day emergency - take the emergency antibiotic pack and get to A&E.

Procedure options

Laparoscopic in most, open where it must be.

The technical options - approach, extraction, partial versus total, and the specific indications each fits.

  • Laparoscopic splenectomy

    The workhorse. Four to five ports; spleen morcellated and retrieved through a small extraction site.

  • Hand-assisted laparoscopic

    For a large spleen where a small incision gives control and a clean specimen.

  • Open splenectomy

    Left subcostal incision. Reserved for very large spleens, trauma, dense adhesions or failed laparoscopy.

  • Partial splenectomy

    Preserves some splenic function - used selectively in cysts, focal lesions and selected paediatric cases.

  • Splenic artery embolisation

    Interventional radiology alternative in trauma and portal hypertension, and as an adjunct before elective open splenectomy.

  • Accessory spleen search

    A deliberate look for accessory splenules - essential in ITP where a missed splenule is the classic cause of recurrence.

  • Concurrent cholecystectomy

    Removal of the gallbladder at the same sitting in hereditary spherocytosis where stones are present.

  • Vaccination and prophylaxis plan

    Not a technique, but as much part of the procedure as the operation itself.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

A well-established procedure in the right hands. The honest conversation is about recovery and expectations.

  • Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI)

    The rare but serious risk. Roughly 0.1–0.5 percent per year lifetime, highest in the first 2 years. Vaccination, daily antibiotics and the emergency pack together cut it dramatically.

  • Bleeding

    The spleen is vascular. Bleeding requiring transfusion is under 5 percent laparoscopic and higher open. Cross-match is standard.

  • Pancreatic tail injury

    The pancreatic tail sits next to the splenic hilum. Injury and pancreatic fistula are uncommon; drains are placed selectively.

  • Portal vein thrombosis

    Higher risk after splenectomy for splenomegaly and haematological disease. Enoxaparin prophylaxis is extended and imaging is routine in high-risk patients.

  • DVT and pulmonary embolism

    Prophylactic heparin, early mobilisation, TED stockings. Extended prophylaxis for two weeks in most cases.

  • Wound infection and hernia

    Under 3 percent for laparoscopic sites, higher for the open subcostal incision.

  • Diet and activity after surgery

    Normal diet the next day. Desk work at 2 weeks, driving at 2–3 weeks, no heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks (longer open).

  • The emergency pack

    A course of amoxicillin (or alternative) to take at the first sign of fever or feeling suddenly unwell, on the way to A&E.

  • Red flags after surgery

    Fever, rigors, spreading redness, severe abdominal pain, breathlessness or calf pain need the same-day team or A&E.

Reading your notes

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever approach was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant surgeon reviewing operation notes after splenectomy

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 operation note before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and approach

    Why the splenectomy was done, which side, and what approach was chosen.

  2. 02 Technique

    What was done

    The technique in plain terms - incisions, structures addressed, implants or fixation used.

  3. 03 Findings

    Findings and complications

    What was seen and whether anything unexpected happened during the procedure.

  4. 04 Impression

    Plan, restrictions and follow-up

    Read this first: recovery restrictions, rehab timeline, and when we look at you again.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Usually covered when medically indicated.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about splenectomy.

Quick answers on cost, recovery and what happens if it does not work.

  • How long do I stay in hospital?

    Laparoscopic splenectomy patients usually go home at 2–3 nights, open at 4–7 nights. Very large spleens and haematological cases sit at the longer end.

  • Why do I need vaccinations before surgery?

    The spleen is central to clearing encapsulated bacteria. Without it, pneumococcus, meningococcus and Hib can cause overwhelming infection. Vaccination two weeks before elective surgery gives you cover from day one.

  • Will I need antibiotics forever?

    Most adults take daily penicillin V (or a suitable alternative) for life, or at minimum for the first two years and higher-risk periods. Everyone gets an emergency amoxicillin pack for febrile illness. Your haematologist may adjust this.

  • Can I still travel and exercise?

    Yes. Return to full sport at 6–8 weeks (laparoscopic) or 3 months (open). Travel is fine - carry your emergency pack, your alert bracelet and a letter, and consider malaria prophylaxis carefully because splenectomy patients have severe malaria more easily.

  • How much does a private splenectomy cost in the UK?

    Roughly £9,500–£15,000 laparoscopic, £11,000–£18,000 open, and £14,000–£22,000 for very large or lymphoma cases. Splenic artery embolisation as an alternative is £6,500–£12,000.

  • Is a partial splenectomy an option?

    Sometimes. For focal lesions, cysts and some paediatric cases a partial splenectomy preserves immune function. It is not appropriate for ITP or diffuse lymphoma. We take the decision jointly with the haematology team.

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