The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of the lower pole( LP) of the spleen in dogs after the ligature and section of the splenic artery and vein. Surgery was performed in 24 mongrel male dogs, with weight varying between 12 kg and 14 kg. The anesthetized animaIs were submitted to an upper and lower median laparotomy, 12 cm long. Group 1 it underwent the ligature and section of the upper portion of the splenogastric ligament, ligature and section of the splenic artery and vein. After the ligature of the descending branch of the splenic vessels, the spleen was transversally sectionaled, and the cut surface of the LP was sutured and the specimen sent to microscopic study. The abdominal wall was sutured by plans. The dogs were kept alive and submitted to euthanasia at day 7 (subgroup I a-4 dogs), day 15 (subgroup 1 b- 5 dogs), day 30 (subgroup 1c-4 dogs) and day 60 (subgroup I d- 3 dogs). When euthanized, the LP were removedfor study. ln the second group, three dogs were submitted to a laparotomy and manipulation of the spleen (controI2- Sham), for morphologic control. This procedure was procedure at day 15 (subgroup 2a- 2 dogs) and at day 60 (subgroup 2b- I dog). Of the 24 dogs operated, five died. The reasons were evisceration (two dogs), intraperitoneal hemorrhage (one dog), lower digestive hemorrhage with no explanation (one dog) and indeterminated (one case). The macroscopic findings in the LP compared to the rest of the spleen (control 1) and the control 2 (Sham) showed uncertain results in only two cases, where the LP was firmly adherent to the abdominal wall and intestinal loops. However there was no statistically significant difference (p>0,05- Fishers exact test) in the number of viable cases between the controls and group 1. The microscopic examination of the LP. compared to the rest of the spleen (control 1) and to the control 2 (Sham) showed discreet morphological alteration, in the majority of cases, and signs of regression in two cases, without statistically significant differences (p>O, 05). The analysis of our results allows us to conclude that the LP of the spleen is still viable after the ligature of the splenic artery and vein in 86,6% of the cases.
Partial splenectomy; Splenectomy; Subtotal splenectomy