I had splenectomy with light colored stool and mucus on it. Is this pancreatic issue?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 28-year-old male. I had a splenectomy in 2012 from a snowboarding accident. Recently, my stools have been different. It is very light colored with mucus on them. Should I be worried about pancreas issues without my spleen? I have read that pancreas disease can cause light-colored stools. Please advice.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

No, splenectomy has no relation with pancreatic issues. Is your pancreas was safe during accident and surgery? Although splenectomy can decrease your immunity leading to frequent infections.

I would like to know when have you done splenectomy? Since how long you are having such stools? Any abdominal pain, fever, or vomiting? How frequently do you pass stools? Any blood or mucus? Any episode of diarrhea at night? Do you lose weight? If yes, then how much?

Do you feel weak or dizzy? Have you ever done a stool routine examination? Any bloating episodes? Does this problem aggravates with stress?

Your labs have hardly any abnormality (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I just need to dig out the cause of your diarrhea.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I think it is irritable bowel syndrome (diarrhea predominant) which means stress-related sensitivity of your digestive system. I do not think this diarrhea is due to the pancreas issue because your metabolic profile is absolutely normal. In contrast, pancreatic diarrhea leads to malabsorption and disturbance in metabolic profile.

So I would like to start the treatment of IBS and will advise to decrease your stress. Remember one quote physical exertion decreases stress while mental exertion increases stress.

I hope you are taking prophylactic injections of pneumococcal, meningococcal, and influenza vaccines (keeping splenectomy in mind).