The effects of splenic artery ligation in an experimental model of secondary hypersplenism.

Abstract

Objective: To induce hypersplenism in rats by splenic vein ligation and to investigate the effects of splenic artery ligation in this model.

Background: Selective arterial embolisation and splenic artery ligation (SAL) are used in the treatment of secondary hypersplenism in some medical centres but these methods are not common.

Materials and methods: Thirty male Saprague-Dawley rats were allocated to three groups (n = 10). The first group underwent laparotomy, the second and third groups underwent laparotomy and splenic vein ligation. At the end of the third week, laparotomy was performed in the first and second groups and splenic artery ligation in the third group. Erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet counts were performed weekly. At the end of the sixth week, the animals were sacrificed and the spleens were taken for histopathologic examination.

Results: In the second and third groups, after splenic vein ligation, the erythrocyte and platelet counts were significantly reduced at the end of the second week (p < 0.01). In the second group, which underwent splenic vein ligation only, the levels remained low throughout the experiment. In the third group, after splenic artery ligation, there were rises in both erythrocyte and platelet counts; the levels were similar to the levels in the control group at three weeks after splenic artery ligation (p > 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the leukocyte counts throughout the experiment (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Splenic vein ligation successfully induces experimental secondary hypersplenism. This state can be ameliorated by splenic artery ligation.