Spleen MCQs

Postsplenectomy septicaemia may result from S. pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae or Escherichia coli. Published guidelines emphasize that most infections after splenectomy could be avoided through measures that include offering patients appropriate and timely immunization, antibiotic prophylaxis, education and prompt treatment of infection Immunization in post - splenectomised pt. includes Hib + meningococcal + pneumococcal vaccines.

Reference : Sabinston Textbook of Surgery 21 st Edition, SECTION X ABDOMEN, Chapter 57, The Spleen, Pg: 1579.

Splenic filtration may be particularly important for removal of microorganisms for which the host does not have a specific antibody. The immune functions of the spleen become evident after splenectomy, when patients are noted to be at risk for specific infections related to encapsulated bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, and Neisseria meningitidis. Asplenia and hyposplenism could be a result of surgical absence of spleen or lack of functioning of an anatomically present spleen. The most serious sequela is overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI). Reference : Bailey & Love's short practice of surgery 28 th Edition, Chapter 70, The Spleen, Pg: 1231.

This is usually classified into: defects of the RBC membrane (e.g., hereditary spherocytosis ); defect in erythrocyte enzyme (e.g., glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency [G6PD]); and defect in hemoglobin synthesis (e.g., thalassemia, sickle cell anemias [hemoglobin S]). Reference : Sabinston Textbook of Surgery 21 st Edition, SECTION X ABDOMEN,Chapter 57, The Spleen, Pg: 1571.