Immunoprophylaxis in emergency splenectomy

As in immunoprophylaxis in elective splenectomy, see section 6.1 but give vaccines 2-3 weeks post operation.

Inform GP by telephone and in discharge letter re: splenectomy

• Document on front of patient's chart and in case notes that patient has had a splenectomy

• Document that precautions have been instituted

Patients and relatives must be informed that spleen has been removed, therefore

• Antibiotic prophylaxis is necessary for life

• Attend doctor at once if patient becomes ill

• Attend 5 yearly to measure antibody titer

Note: It is unclear how often post-splenectomy patients should be re-vaccinated after pneumococcal vaccination. Re-vaccination at intervals less than five years may result in adverse reactions and nobody has correlated the need to re-vaccinate with antibody titres.