Journal Published Online: 01 October 1979
Volume 24, Issue 4

Sudden Death and Sepsis After Splenectomy

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

There have been a number of case reports dealing with pneumococcal infections after splenectomy [1,2]. Early reports emphasized that fatal infections occurred in patients with a basic underlying serious disease process that involved primarily the reticuloendothelial system such as in diffuse cancer or lymphoma, histiocytosis, sickle cell anemia, and extensive hemosiderosis [3]. It was generally believed that splenectomy done for trauma imparted no greater risk to infection than a simple appendectomy [4], Since that time, follow-up studies have shown that asplenic patients are at risk from overwhelming sepsis regardless of the reason for the removal of the spleen [5].

Author Information

Reay, DT
University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Wash
Nakonechny, D
University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Wash
Pages: 5
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Stock #: JFS10903J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10903J