Table 1.
Percentage of websites that addressed each component of the content score, with comparisons among all, patient-oriented and other websites
| Topic | Type of website; no. (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| All n = 89 | Patient-oriented n = 62 | Other n = 27 | |
| Any diagram indicating the location of the spleen | 43 (48) | 38 (61) | 5 (19) |
| Mentions that the spleen has immune function | 66 (74) | 53 (85) | 13 (48) |
| Trauma as an indication | 64 (72) | 47 (76) | 17 (63) |
| Any nonmalignant heme indication | 73 (82) | 51 (82) | 22 (81) |
| Any malignant indication (heme or non-heme) | 56 (63) | 43 (69) | 13 (48) |
| Mentions that the surgery can be performed by laparotomy or laparoscopy | 57 (64) | 48 (77) | 9 (33) |
| General anesthetic involved | 45 (50) | 43 (69) | 2 (7) |
| Any perioperative complication | 48 (54) | 40 (65) | 8 (30) |
| Long-term risk of infection beyond postoperative period | 75 (84) | 53 (85) | 22 (81) |
| Need for vaccination at least mentioned | 70 (79) | 51 (82) | 19 (70) |
| Pneumococcal vaccine mentioned | 55 (62) | 41 (66) | 14 (52) |
| Hemophilias vaccine mentioned | 24 (27) | 13 (21) | 11 (41) |
| Meningococcal vaccine mentioned | 31 (35) | 19 (31) | 12 (44) |
| Recommends repeat pneumococcal vaccine in 5–10 years | 18 (20) | 14 (23) | 4 (15) |
| Indicates that vaccines should ideally be given at least 2 weeks before surgery | 31 (35) | 20 (34) | 10 (37) |
| Recommends annual influenza vaccine | 12 (14) | 7 (11) | 5 (19) |
| Recommends seeking medical advice for even minor symptoms/illness | 45 (51) | 42 (68) | 3 (11) |
| Recommends seeking medical advice before travel | 21 (24) | 18 (29) | 3 (11) |
| Recommends wearing a medical alert bracelet or carrying a splenectomy card | 15 (17) | 12 (19) | 3 (11) |
| At least mentions that antibiotic prophylaxis may be offered | 60 (67) | 46 (74) | 14 (52) |
| Glossary or explanation of medical terms | 30 (34) | 26 (42) | 4 (15) |