Infections in Splenectomized Patients: A Study of 131 Patients

Abstract

A retrospective study on infections was done on 131 patients (predominately adults) undergoing splenectomy with a median follow-up of 11 mo. Of the 43 patients who died, 23 were infected. Three succumbed primarily from their infection; in 9 the infection was a contributing factor, and 11 died primarily from their underlying disease with an associated infection. Patients (64) had lymphoreticular malignancies, 53 had a nonmalignant condition and 14 had carcinomas. Infection rates were 42%, 42% and 21%, respectively. Bacteremia rates (all in adults) were 5%, 4% and 7%, respectively. Over 4/5 of the infections were hospital acquired. Of 14 community onset infections, 12 occurred in patients with lymphoreticular malignancies.