The Role of Splenectomy in Endocarditis

Authors

Donald J. Magilligan Jr.
Edward L. Quinn

Abstract

Five patients with endocarditis, persistent sepsis, and positive liver-spleen scans underwent splenectomy. Three had splenectomy performed concomitantly with cardiac valve replacement, one after valve replacement and one as an isolated procedure. Four of five spleens contained abscesses, and bacterial cultures of two were positive. Histologic study of one spleen revealed splenitis. All patients improved after splenectomy, and all are well two to twenty months postoperatively. An aggressive approach to splenic abscess in endocarditis may lead to reduced mortality from bacterial endocarditis and infected prosthetic valves.

Recommended Citation

Magilligan, Donald J. Jr. and Quinn, Edward L. (1983) "The Role of Splenectomy in Endocarditis," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 31 : No. 1 , 43-46.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol31/iss1/11