Intra-Abdominal Surgery in Austin, TX

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract and other organs within the abdomen play important roles in digestion and overall health. The abdomen contains organs including the stomach, gallbladder, liver, small intestine, appendix, colon, spleen, and pancreas. Conditions affecting these organs may require medical or surgical treatment depending on the diagnosis, symptoms, and individual patient.

At ATX Robotic Surgery, our surgeons evaluate abdominal conditions and determine whether minimally invasive or robotic-assisted surgery may be appropriate. The surgical approach depends on the condition being treated, the patient’s health, and other clinical factors.

What is Robotic Splenectomy?

The spleen is an Intra-abdominal organ. It may become damaged as a result of disease or injury to it. While the spleen is not part of the GI tract; it is part of the lymphatic system. The spleen plays a crucial role because it helps to protect the body by clearing out foreign bodies from the bloodstream to help fight infections. Injury to the spleen can be resolved robotically with a splenectomy.

What is Splenectomy?

Splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the spleen.

Where is the spleen?

The spleen is located in the upper left abdomen, beneath the rib cage and near the stomach.

What does the spleen do?

The spleen filters unneeded material and helps fight infections.

Who needs a Splenectomy?

A splenectomy may be recommended when the spleen is damaged, enlarged, diseased, or causing other health problems. Whether surgery is appropriate depends on the underlying condition and the individual patient.

Reasons a physician may consider splenectomy include:

  • Ruptured or injured spleen: Severe abdominal trauma can damage the spleen and cause internal bleeding that may require urgent treatment.

  • Enlarged spleen: Certain medical conditions can cause the spleen to enlarge and, in some cases, surgery may be considered.

  • Blood disorders or other diseases: Some conditions affecting the blood or spleen may lead a physician to consider splenectomy.

  • Cysts or tumors: Certain cysts, masses, or tumors involving the spleen may require surgical evaluation.

Other Robotic-Assisted Intra-Abdominal Procedures

Robotic-assisted techniques may also be used for certain other abdominal procedures, depending on the patient’s diagnosis and surgical needs. These may include procedures involving biopsies, removal of certain masses, drainage of abscesses, or placement of feeding tubes. Your surgeon will determine whether a robotic-assisted approach is appropriate for your procedure.

Benefits of ATX Robotic Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery provides surgeons with specialized instruments and magnified visualization of the surgical area. For certain abdominal procedures, these tools can support a minimally invasive surgical approach. However, robotic surgery is not appropriate for every condition or every patient. Your surgeon will review your diagnosis, discuss available treatment options, and explain the potential benefits and risks of the recommended approach.

Schedule Consultation

Intra-Abdominal Surgery FAQs

  • That depends on the type and complexity of your surgery. Some minimally invasive procedures may allow patients to return home the same day, while others require an overnight or longer hospital stay. Your surgeon will discuss what you should expect before your procedure.

  • Because robotic surgery generally uses small incisions, scars are typically smaller than those associated with traditional open abdominal surgery. Their size, number, location, and appearance will vary based on the procedure and how your body heals.

  • Referral requirements can vary depending on your insurance plan and the type of care you need. Contact ATX Robotic Surgery to discuss scheduling, and check with your insurance provider if you are unsure whether your plan requires a referral.

Pre-Consultation Information

  • Please bring a Photo ID and insurance information, a list of medications you are currently taking, and any relevant medical records or office visit notes.

  • Our team will discuss any questions or concerns, review your medical history to understand symptoms or allergies, perform a focused physical exam, and discuss the next steps for a plan tailored to you.

  • Write down your symptoms and when they occur, note any activities that make symptoms better or worse, plan to bring a family member if helpful.