Scanning procedures using radioactive material to trace blood flow and find leaks may be performed, or fluid in the abdomen may be withdrawn by a needle and sampled to see if it's bloody. When doctors strongly suspect that the spleen has ruptured, the person is rushed to surgery to stop the potentially fatal loss of blood. Usually the entire spleen is removed, but sometimes surgeons are able to close off a small rupture and save the spleen. Before and after removal of the spleen, certain precautions are needed to prevent infections. For example, vaccinations against pneumococcus are given before a splenectomy whenever possible, and yearly vaccinations against influenza are recommended after a splenectomy.
Many doctors also recommend prophylactic antibiotics.
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