Ruptured spleen

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Definition Symptoms Causes When to seek medical advice

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Definition

A ruptured spleen is a serious condition. Without emergency treatment, a ruptured spleen can cause life-threatening bleeding.

Your spleen is located just under your rib cage on your left side, a prime spot for injury. With enough force, a blow to your abdomen — during a sporting mishap, a fist fight or a car accident, for example — might lead to a ruptured spleen.

The spleen helps your body fight infection and filter unwanted material, such as old or damaged blood cells. The spleen also produces red blood cells and certain types of white blood cells. A ruptured spleen may pour a large amount of blood into your abdominal cavity.

If the rupture is small, surgical repair may be possible. Typically, however, the entire spleen is removed in emergency surgery.

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Symptoms