Splenic Embolization After Trauma: An Opportunity to Improve Best Immunization Practices

The spleen is the second most commonly injured solid organ during blunt abdominal trauma. Although total splenectomy is frequently performed for injury, splenic rupture can also be managed by splenic embolization. For these patients, current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations indicate that if 50% or more of the splenic mass is lost, patients should be treated as though they are asplenic. We have previously demonstrated that compliance with ACIP guidelines regarding immunization after splenectomy is poor. Compliance with vaccination in the setting of splenic embolization for trauma is unknown and we hypothesized patients would not receive the recommended immunizations.

All admissions at our level 1 trauma center requiring splenic embolization secondary to traumatic injury between January 1, 2010, and November 1, 2015, were reviewed. Demographic and injury data, dates and imaging of splenic embolizations, immunization documentation, subsequent vaccination boosters received, and outcomes were collected from the medical record. The proportion of spleen embolized was estimated by review of angiographic imaging using an established method.

Nine thousand nine hundred sixty-five trauma patients were admitted during the period studied. Nineteen patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Median age of the patient population was 35 y, 85% were male, and median injury severity score was 28. Of these, 15 patients underwent a splenic embolization, in which 50% or more of their splenic mass was lost through embolization. Eight patients received at least one immunization before discharge. Six received initial immunizations against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae, while three received only the initial immunization against S pneumoniae. None of the 15 patients received any ACIP-recommended booster. Of the four patients having less than 50% of their spleen embolized, three wrongly received immunization against encapsulated organisms before hospital discharge.

Trauma patients undergoing splenic embolization at our institution receive postsplenectomy immunizations incorrectly and had no recorded booster vaccines. We speculate that this is common among the U.S. trauma centers. Review of immunization practices in our trauma and nontrauma patient populations is underway in our health system to improve the care of these patients, and our experience may serve as a guide for other centers to reduce complications associated with asplenia.