Subtotal laparoscopic splenectomy in rats with preservation of the inferior pole

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of subtotal splenectomy by laparoscopy with inferior pole preservation and to determine the viability of the splenic remnant.

Twenty male Wistar rats weighing between 365 g and 474 g (mean 417.92 ± 36.15g SD) were operated and randomly assigned to two groups : Group 1 rats were killed on postoperative day 10 (n = 10), and Group 2 on the postoperative day 80 (n = 10). Both the inferior splenic pole and the superior part of the spleen, which was used as a control to measure inferior pole viability, were weighed and morphologically examined.

The technique was feasible in all cases. There were two postoperative deaths on immediate postoperative and one not well defined. The average weight percentage of the inferior pole, measured indirectly on the 10th day, was 53.67% ± 11.59% and on the 80th day was 62.69% ± 6.89%. The inferior pole was necrotic, with abscess formation in one case (5.9%) and appeared normal in all other cases. Microscopy showed features that were compatible with normality.

Subtotal splenectomy with preservation of the inferior pole by laparoscopy was feasible and safety. The lower splenic pole was viable in 94.1% of animals.