BACKGROUND: The simultaneous ligation of splenic artery and vein without splenectomy is performed in caudal pancreatectomy in humans. The consequences of this procedure to the spleen are unknown. Here we report the effects of simultaneous ligation of splenic artery and vein twelve days after this vascular ligation in adults rats. METHODS: Fifty eight adult male Wistar rats were randomized into 2 groups: group 1 (N=23) sham operated, and group 2 (N=35), simultaneous splenic artery and vein ligation. All animals were killed 12 days after surgery. The spleen was removed, weighted, fixed in 4% formalin, paraffin embedded and the sections stained with hematoxilyn and eosin. RESULTS: The spleen was normal in all cases of the group 1 and in 8.82% of the group 2. Partial white infarct occured in 91.2% of the animals of group 2. The mean of the percentual viable mass in the infarcted spleen was 56.9 ± 21.8 %. The microscopic examination showed normal splenic tissue in the preserved areas, with healing process of the necrotic areas. CONCLUSION: The simultaneous ligature of the splenic artery and vein resulted in partial infarct of the spleen in 91.2 % of the animals, with a minimum of 35% preservation of splenic mass and a mean of percentual viable mass was 56.9% ± 21.8%. The necrosis after vascular ligation occurred more frequently in the inferior portion of the spleen.
Spleen; Splenic infarction; Ligation; Rats
