title: [Review of infectious prophylaxis in splenectomized patients in the island of Menorca].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Splenectomized patients are at higher risk of severe infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was performed to evaluate compliance with guidelines in patients who underwent a splenectomy between 1978 and 2000. Seventy-five patients were identified and their hospital records were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  62.7% of patients who had a splenectomy received a pneumococcal vaccine and were aware of the infectious risks related to an asplenic status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rapidly lethal overwhelming sepsis in some asplenic patients demands greater prevention efforts by physicians.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Verge del Toro, Mahón, Menorca, Spain. pgalan@smen.es
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galán Alvarez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oliva Berini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
vernacular_title: Revisión de la profilaxis infecciosa en pacientes esplenectomizados en la isla de Menorca.