splenectomy

Question 1

what infections are at risk of developing post splenectomy

Answer 1

pneumococcus
haemophilus
meningococcus

Question 2

which vaccines should be given prior to splenectomy ( if elective)

Answer 2

Hib, meningitis A & C
annual influenza vaccination
pneumococcal vaccine every 5 years - to be done 2 weeks prior

Question 3

abx prophylaxis for splenectomy

Answer 3

Pen V

Question 4

what are the indications for a splenectomy

Answer 4

trauma
spontaneous rupture - EBV
hypersplenism : hereditary spherocytosis, elliptocytosis
malignancy - lymphoma, leukaemia
splenic cysts etc

Question 5

what post splenectomy changes are seen

Answer 5

platelets will rise
howell jolly bodies

Question 6

what blood film changes can be seen post splenectomy

Answer 6

cytoplasmic inclusions such as Howell Jolly bodies
siderocytes and reticulocytes
granulocytes

Question 7

Name two other organs in the left upper quadrant that may have
been damaged.

Answer 7

L eft kidney, left adrenal gland, splenic flexure of the colon (also
transverse and descending accepted), pancreas, stomach, left lobe
o f liver, lung.

Question 8

What is the function of the red pulp and white pulp of the spleen?

Answer 8

red pulp - destroys RBC
white pulp - lymphoid tissue acting as part of the bodies immune system

Question 9

What are Howell-Jolly bodies?

Answer 9

Red blood cells in which the nuclear rem nant is still seen.