[Septic complications following splenectomy after abdominal trauma]

We reviewed retrospectively the septic postsplenectomy complications after splenic rupture from abdominal trauma in 53 patients treated in the last five years (1984-1988). We recorded a higher incidence of complications (pneumonia, subphrenic abscess) in these patients than in those who underwent clean surgery during the same period, but we did not demonstrate the same difference in other infectious processes (infection of the surgical wound). Infections had a higher incidence in patients with splenic rupture with associated lesions (54.10%) than in those with only a splenic lesion (37.50%) (SD p less than 0.05). The predominant agents usually isolated were aerobic Gram-positive. We remark the importance of open drainage systems (Penrose type) in the genesis of subphrenic abscesses.