You can live without the spleen because, after its removal, the liver and kidneys will take up its functions.

But the spleen is an important part of the lymphatic and immune system. The same is true for the tonsils and appendix, which are also lymphoid organs that can be safely removed.

I needed my damaged spleen removed as an adult. The doctor said that basically nothing would change for me after losing my spleen. From what I remember him telling me the spleen is more important in younger children as an immune defense but all he said to me was that I should make sure to stay up to date on my vaccinations. It probably helps that I’m relatively young and am in good health but I’ve noticed no differences in the years post splenectomy. The spleen isn’t useless but it’s far from vital.