Vaccination Rates and Adherence to Guidelines in Splenectomy Patients: An Observational Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Splenectomy, whatever the reason, is an absolute indication for vaccination against encapsulated bacteria in order to prevent overwhelming post-splenectomy infections. This study aimed to determine compliance to immunization guidelines for splenectomy in General Surgery Clinics. Materials and Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, we included patients who underwent splenectomy between April 2016 and April 2018, and recorded the patient data and vaccination status. Results: Splenectomy was performed in 65 patients, 40 (61.5%) were male and median age was 56 (19-90) years. Six of the operations were emergent, 21 were planned and 38 were urgent mostly due to solid organ malignancy. Only 14 (21.5%) patients were vaccinated with Haemophilus influenzae, meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines according to the guidelines (≥2 weeks before the operation). 14 of the 21 patients (66.6%) who underwent planned splenectomy were vaccinated appropriately. Conclusion: Compliance with vaccination guidelines was low before splenectomy operations. There is a room for improvement particularly for patients undergoing elective splenectomy. A patient-centered team strategy is required to vaccinate patients at the stage of splenectomy planning.

Keywords

• splenectomy
• immunization
• vaccination
• overwhelming post-splenectomy infections (opsi)