[Rats resistance to fecal peritonitis when subjected to total splenectomy and auto-implant of the spleen in the retroperitoneum].

PURPOSE: This study was developed to evaluated the effects of spleen transplants in the protection against abdominal sepsis in young and old Wistar rats.

METHODS

Fifty-four young and old Wistar rats were utilized (90 and 180 days respectively) being distributed in three groups as follows: Sham Group, where the animal were submitted to laparotomy with manipulation of only intestine (n=12 young and adult animals), Splenectomy Group, in which the animals were subjected to total splenectomy (n=20 young and adult animals) and an Auto-implant Group, where the animals were subjected to total splenectomy and a third of the spleen was implanted in a bag in the retroperitoneum (n=22 young and adult animals). After three months the animals were subjected to a new laparotomy with binding and caecum perforation to stimulate abdominal sepsis and were accompanied until the moment of death to establish a mortality curve.

RESULTS

There was recuperation of the spleen implanted in all animals. There was no significant difference in the time of death among the groups. The young animals apparently had a better response, however it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that spleen implant in the retroperitoneum do not prove to be an effective protection against abdominal sepsis in comparison with the splenectomized rats.