Splenic viability after segmental devascularization.

The terminal vascular architecture is related to the segmental pattern of this organ. However, several interlobar vascular anastomoses communicate the spleen parts. In order to verify the efficacy of those anastomoses, the present work studied experimentally the viability of the spleen after selective external devascularization, in rats and dogs. All animals developed segmental necroses and eventual abscesses limited to the devascularized portion of the organ. These results demonstrate that the intraparenchymatous anastomoses do not maintain the viability of externally devascularized regions of the spleen. The data presented in this paper are worth to be considered in therapeutic conservative splenectomies.