Splenectomy, pneumococcal vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis.
Fulminant sepsis following splenectomy remains a major problem. Even with the administration of pneumococcal vaccine and prophylactic antibiotics fatalities still occur. A better understanding of the complex immunological function of the spleen, its preservation as much as possible during surgery, potent vaccine and perhaps more effective antibiotics will, hopefully, help reduce mortality in some of these cases in future.
Chattopadhyay
B
B
Public Health Laboratory, Whipps Cross Hospital, London.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D011292:Premedication; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines