Splenectomy and sepsis

Abstract

There is general consensus in accepting that splenic surgery may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality that appears due to an interrelation of circumstances. The most common complications of splenectomy are infectious nature with an incidence of up to 40%; among infections, in 5-7% of cases may occur the so-called overwhelming postsplenectomy infection, motivated by the loss of immune functions of the spleen. In this paper, together with a basic description of the structure and functions of the spleen, the most relevant aspects and preventive measures of this serious postsplenectomy sequel are exposed.