Anti-infectious prophylaxis after splenectomy: current practice in an eastern region of Switzerland. Swiss medical weekly : official journal of the Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases, the Swiss Society of Internal Medicine, the Swiss Society of Pneumology. [Swiss Med Wkly] Journal article | | Title | Anti-infectious prophylaxis after splenectomy: current practice in an eastern region of Switzerland. | | Author(s) | Hasse B, Moll C, Oehy K, Röthlin M, Krause M | | Institution | Division of Internal Medicine, Catonal Hospital of Muensterlingen. | | Source | Swiss Med Wkly 2005 May 14; 135(19-20):291-6. | | MeSH | Adolescent
Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacterial Infections
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Meningococcal Infections
Middle Aged
Patient Education
Postoperative Complications
Practice Guidelines
Splenectomy
Switzerland
| | Abstract | Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) is a long-term risk in asplenic patients, which may be minimised by appropriate preventive measures. In this survey anti-infectious strategies after splenectomy were evaluated in an eastern part of Switzerland. We found 91 individuals in the canton of Thurgau, who underwent splenectomy between 1998 and 2003. We assessed adherence to vaccination guidelines, the use of antibiotics and the awareness of the infectious risks by review of hospital charts and by structured interviews with patients and their general practitioners. The total vaccination rate was 64/91 (70%). 6 patients were vaccinated pre-operatively, 50 during the hospital stay and 8 after discharge by the general practitioner. 64 received vaccination against pneumococci, 6 against haemophilus influenzae and 3 against meningococci. Although 39 died during the study period, none died of overwhelming sepsis. None of the patients received a booster vaccination. Prophylactic long-term antibiotics were given to 2 children but to none of the 89 adults. Three adults had a supply of stand-by antibiotics at home. Less than half of the patients who were interviewed knew that asplenia puts them at greater risk for life-threatening infections and few practitioners were aware that travel and animal bites pose a special threat. We conclude that after splenectomy vaccination discipline and patient education should be substantially improved and suggest the publication of comprehensive guidelines. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Case Reports
Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 15986267 |
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