Splenectomy

Question 1

Indications for splenectomy

Answer 1

Classified into emergency + elective indications
- indications for emergency splenectomy include trauma and rupture (e.g. in EBV infection)
- indications for elective splenectomy include haemolytic anaemia (hereditary or immune) and idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura

Question 2

Post-splenectomy prophylaxis

Answer 2

Pneumococcal vaccination - with regular boosters every 5 years
Seasonal influenza vaccination (yearly)
Haemophilia influenza type B vaccination - one off
Meningitis C vaccination - ofne off
Low-dose prophylactic antibiotics also - often for life - typical regime is amoxicillin or penicillin V (or erythromycin if allergy to penicillin)
Risk of infection is highest in 2 years following splenectomy - the highest being from from pneumococcal infection