title: Cases of OPSI syndrome still candidate for medical ICU.
abstract: Splenectomized patients are likely to suffer from severe infections, such as sepsis and meningitis, which is called overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) syndrome. It seems to be more common in children, but occurs at all ages. The risk is greatest in the early months and years after operation, but never disappears entirely. The course is rapid, the clinical symptoms are serious, and the prognosis is very poor. In this paper, three cases of OPSI syndrome are described, in which infection developed 8, 8 and 15 years after splenectomy; two of the patients died. With the help of these case reports, we want to again emphasize the importance of vaccination, antibiotic prophylaxis and seeking earlier medical attention in splenectomized patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. aygencel@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Gulbin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aygencel
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dizbay
authors.forename: Melda Aybar
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Turkoglu
authors.forename: Ozlem Guzel
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Tunccan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult