A splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a patient's spleen. Although the spleen has a role in filtering blood and removing dead red blood cells, a functioning spleen is not necessary in a patient and it can be removed freely either to treat pathologies of the spleen or to treat other conditions. A splenectomy is indicated for: Nowadays, most splenectomies are done laproscopically, with open incision only being used in cases of trauma or enlargement.