More on spleens
By Greg A. Bedard
Monday, Sep 22 2008, 04:30 PM
Green Bay - Since a lot of people out there are probably googling "ruptured spleen" now that Al Harris' injury has been revealed, here's some information on the small organ:
[ul]* The spleen is part of the immune system. It produces lymphocytes, which is a small white blood cell that helps defend the body against disease by destroying bacteria and other foreign substances. The spleen removes old or damaged blood cells and platelets. It also holds extra blood that the body will use if it's needed.
* The spleen is located in the left upper abdomen above the stomach and underneath the rib cage. Spleens in healthy adults are about 4 inches in length.
* A ruptured spleen is not uncommon because blunt-force trauma -- a hard tackle, a car accident, etc. -- can trigger it.
* A patient is usually given blood products to help stabilize a ruptured spleen. If that doesn't help, surgery is usually needed to repair the damage. Sometimes a small procedure is warranted. In the worst cases, the entire spleen is removed. This is what happened to now-Tennessee Titans quarterback Chris Simms.
* On Sept. 24, 2006, Simms was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when former Carolina Panthers lineman Kris Jenkins -- Cullen's brother -- hit Simms on a play. Like Harris, Simms was taken to the locker room for what the team said was cramps and was given IV fluids. Simms came back into the game and was hit hard by Al Wallace. After the game, Simms was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and had emergency surgery to remove the spleen. Simms did not play in 2007 because of the recovery.
* Recovery time from a surgery to remove a spleen is at least six weeks, but patients aren't usually cleared for contact for some time as the body adjusts.
* If the spleen is removed, patients are very susceptible to infection.[/ul]