title: [Splenectomy in childhood. Review of a case load].
abstract: We review the cases of splenectomy performed in children between 1974 and 1988. During this period, we performed 24 splenectomy procedures, none of which were done as a result of injury. Most patients were between 5 to 10 years of age and had the splenectomy as a result of hemolytic disease. Antibiotic prophylaxis and anti-pneumococcic vaccination preceded splenectomy, resulting in a low morbidity and mortality. This report emphasizes the indications for splenectomy, a decrease in its frequency, variations in its etiology and the low incidence of surgical complications.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Niño Jesús, Madrid.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alonso Calderón
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: el Dabete
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents