Guidelines for the management of asplenic patients

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Guidelines for the management of patients with an absent or poorly functioning spleen: Elective splenectomy.

Vaccinations:

To be given at least 2 WEEKS (ideally 4-6 weeks) PRIOR to surgery.
- Pneumococcal - to be given to all unimmunised patients.
- HIB - either as primary immunisation or as a reinforcing dose.
- Meningococcal C - either as primary immunisation or as a reinforcing dose.
- Influenza - Yearly prior to influenza season.
  - Meningococcal ACWY- if travelling to endemic area only.
All the necessary vaccines can be given on the same day, rotating the injection site.

Prophylactic antibiotics:

To start POST surgery.
- Adults: minimum 2 year prophylactic course.

All information regarding immunisations given and the intended antibiotic prophylaxis regimen should be conveyed to the patient's GP (a pre-printed letter is available).

Return to main Splenectomy page.

Click here for the full Guideline " Management of patients with an absent or dysfunctional spleen"

Page last edited: 20/05/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.