What is overwhelming Postsplenectomy infection?
An overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) is a rare but rapidly fatal infection occurring in individuals following removal (or permanent dysfunction) of the spleen.
What causes OPSI?
The mechanism that connects splenectomy to WFS is unknown but the possible causes of OPSI include loss of splenic phagocytic function, decreasing serum immunoglobulin levels, suppression of lymphocyte sensitivity, or a change in the opsonin system[27,28].
What does OPSI mean?
OPSI
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| OPSI | Overwhelming Post-Splenectomy Infection |
| OPSI | Ohio Patient Safety Institute (Ohio Health Council) |
| OPSI | Open PC Server Integration |
| OPSI | Occidental Power Services Inc. (Houston, TX) |
How can post-splenectomy infections be prevented?
In order to reduce post-splenectomy infections, patient education, vaccination, and prophylactic antibiotics are of prime importance. Splenectomized patients who are aware of the dangers that infections could cause are likely to be more careful and adherent to precautionary measures.
What is post-splenectomy infection (OPSI)?
The most dreadful complication of splenectomy is overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Scientific community and physicians are using a multidimensional approach to tackle the problem of OPSI.
Which antibiotics should be used after splenectomy?
In contrast, a broader spectrum of activity has been suggested for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), or cefuroxime [46]. Initially, after splenectomy, most guidelines recommend a daily regimen of antibiotic therapy, while the need for lifelong consumption can be decided after evaluating the risk of infection [5].
What is the prognosis of postoperative inflammatory response syndrome (OPSI) after splenectomy?
Since the immune response in patients with PEM is compromised, a more careful management for OPSI should therefore be applied for cirrhotic patients after splenectomy. In addition, strict long-term follow up of OPSI patients including informed consent will lead to a better prognosis.