Background: Splenectomized patients are at higher risk of severe infection. Patients and method: This retrospective study was performed to evaluate compliance with guidelines in patients who underwent a splenectomy between 1978 and 2000. Seventy-five patients were identified and their hospital records were reviewed. Results: 62.7% of patients who had a splenectomy received a pneumococcal vaccine and were aware of the infectious risks related to an asplenic status. Conclusions: Rapidly lethal overwhelming sepsis in some asplenic patients demands greater prevention efforts by physicians.