Management of Overwhelming Postsplenectomy Infection Syndrome

Naoki Hashimoto

^*Correspondance to: Naoki Hashimoto 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1148

Abstract

Overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) is a rare medical emergency, mainly caused by encapsulated bacteria, shortly progressing from a mild flulike syndrome to a fulminant, potentially fatal, sepsis. The risk of OPSI is higher in children and in patients with underlying benign or malignant hematological disorders. The identification of Howell-Jolly bodies on peripheral blood examination is an important clue to the diagnosis of asplenia or hyposplenia. Management of these patients includes a combination of immunization, antibiotics prophylaxis. Patient’s education about long-term risk of OPSI and physician’s awareness of a potentially lethal medical emergency are important factor for preventing and management of OPSI.

Keywords

OPSI; Howell-Jolly body; Encapsulated bacteria; Vaccines

Cite the article

Hashimoto N. Management of Overwhelming Postsplenectomy Infection Syndrome. Clin Surg. 2016; 1: 1148.