Splenic Preservation in Rats

Jang, Min Young; Yoon, Seo Gue; Woo, Ze Hong; Chang, Hee Jin; Choi, Kyong Woo

Abstract

Despite the recognized desirability of spenic salvage,forced splenectomy remains the rule in many operative situations,including trauma and pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phagocytic function,histologic finding and anatomic change when the perfusion of preserved spleen was done only through short gastric vessels after splenic vessel ligation. In this situation, we evaluate the necessity of mass reduction to improve the perfusion into the residual spleen by 2/3 patial splenectomy. We studied 41 Sprague-Dawley rats by subdiving them into 3 main groups.In HL(;Hilar ligation)group, splenic vessel ligation was done(n=18). In HLS(Hilar ligation + 2/3partial splenectomy), splenic vessel ligation and partial splenectomy were done(n=18), and the others(n=5) were used as a control group. The changes of anatomy,histologic findings, and phagocytic functions in the preserved splenic tissue were observed at 1hour,2weeks, and 5months postoperatively,based on results of the India ink technique for demonstrating phagocytic function and on results of regular histologic examination. In all rats,at least 1 upper short gastric vessel was noted without direct connection to splenic vessel.In HL group,at 2weeks postoperatively,the size and weight of the preserved spleens were severely decreased to 1/3 of those of control group(p=0.0002). But,after 5months,the size and weight recovered to about 70-80% of those of initial spleen parameters.In HLS group,the size and weight changes were not found.At 1hour postoperatively phagocytic activity decreased to 35% in the control group,10% at 2weeks and not improved at 5months in both groups.The white pulps didn't show any specific change. We concluded that in spite of splenic mass reduction,the white pulp did not change, and phagocytic function was not improved.Therefore,the splenic mass reduction is not essential for the recovery of phagocytic function at the preserved spleen.