Decision-making in surgery: splenectomy.

Interest in splenectomy is topical because of the need to develop protocols for the prevention of overwhelming systemic infections postsplenectomy. Partial splenectomy is possible in only a few patients undergoing splenectomy for trauma. In haematological disorders, total splenectomy is mandatory. All patients who have had a total splenectomy will require vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis.