Final answer:
A splenectomy is a surgical procedure where the spleen is removed. Patients are more prone to infections afterward because the spleen contributes to the immune responses against blood-borne pathogens, and its removal impairs this defense mechanism.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is a Splenectomy?
A splenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the spleen, which is an organ that plays a crucial role in the body’s immune response. The spleen contains macrophages and dendritic cells that remove microbes and other materials from the blood. It also serves as a site for immune responses to blood-borne pathogens.
Increased Infection Risk after Splenectomy
Patients who have undergone a splenectomy might be more prone to infections due to the loss of the spleen’s role in filtering blood and mounting immune responses to certain pathogens. Without the spleen, patients lack the secondary lymphoid organ that aids in producing an appropriate immune response.