[Experimental studies on the rat-model for partial splenectomy and on spleen regeneration]

Partial splenectomy is often preferred to total splenectomy as a method to prevent serious post-operative sepsis. However, most of the previous researches on spleen function following partial splenectomy have failed to provide accurate data on the minimum increase of residual spleen in weight necessary for protection against postoperative sepsis. This is not only to the lack of appropriate model but also to the negligence of the effects of spleen regeneration after partial splenectomy. To produce an accurate model for partial splenectomies, and to know how the spleen regenerates following partial resection, about 500 rats underwent partial splenectomies. From these experiments, the following results were obtained. These partial splenectomies based on length of the spleen were satisfactory models as partial splenectomy. Absolute volume of regenerated spleen was finally almost the same in every model. However, the less the remnant spleen was the longer period was necessary until the spleen regeneration completed.