[Antibiotic prophylaxis in splenectomized adults].

SIGNIFICANT INCIDENCE OF SPLENECTOMY: Asplenism concerns a significant number of subjects: in France 6,000 to 9,000 patients undergo splenectomy annually. More than half of these patients are adults. NECESSARY PREVENTION: An asplenic adult is exposed to serious infections, predominantly caused by pneumococci but also by other encapsulated bacteria. Antibiotic prophylaxis is necessary and must be included in the overall management scheme in patients undergoing planned splenectomy. IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: In France the official recommendation for antibiotic prophylaxis in the asplenic patient is Oracilline (Penicilline V) administered continuously for at least 2 years following splenectomy in adults and for at least 5 years following splenectomy in children. This prophylactic measure must be included in an overall program designed to prevent infections in asplenic patients.