BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of partial (hemi-splenectomy and subtotal splenectomy) and total splenectomy in the dogs lipidic profile. METHOD: Thirty eight (38) mongrel male dogs, with weight varying between 13 Kg and 15 Kg were operated. After clinical evaluation and twelve hour fasting of standard diet, preoperatively hemogram and lipidic profile were evaluated. After general anaesthesia with sodium thiopental, the dogs were submitted to an upper and lower median laparotomy. Group I, seven dogs, just manipulation of the spleen (sham-control); group II, nine dogs upper hemisplenectomy; group III, nine dogs, subtotal splenectomy with preservation of inferior pole, after the ligature and section of the splenic artery and vein near the hilus; group IV, thirteen dogs, total splenectomy was performed. RESULTS: Our results, when we compared to the lipid values of the different post-operative periods with preoperative data, showed that in group IV (total splenectomy) there was a significant increase of the total cholesterol in all post-operative periods (p < 0,05, p < 0,01). The high-density lipoprotein(HDL) was significantly augmented in the 7th ( p < 0,01) and 28th (p < 0,05) post-operative day and at not significantly (p > 0,05) on the 56th post-operative time. The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) increased significantly in the 56th post-operative (p < 0,01). Triglyceride and very-low density lipoproteins (VLDL) did not present significant changes. Animals of group 1 and 3 did not present significant changes. In group 2 there was a significant increased in cholesterol on the 7th post-operative day. There was no difference between the weight of the spleen remaining after partial splenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that total splenectomy causes significant elevation in the total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, while triglycerides and VLDL don't change; - the preservation of the inferior lower half of the spleen and the preservation of the inferior pole on subtotal splenectomy protected the animal of significant changes in lipidic profile.
Partial splenectomy; Total splenectomy; Splenectomy and Cholesterol
