Prevention of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection

Fifty five patients in the Dublin area who had undergone splenectomy for trauma between 1972–1985 were interviewed to ascertain their awareness of the problem of post-splenectomy infection. Most patients who had been operated on in recent years were aware of the problem but few had been given any specific advice. While it is acknowledged that OPSI is less of a problem in those splenectomized for trauma, the risk can be reduced by vaccination, prophylactic antibiotics, advising the patient, and probably by implanting splenic tissue at the time of laparotomy.