Subtotal splenectomy preserving the lower pole in rats: technical, morphological and functional aspects.

Purpose: To assess the possibility of preserving the lower pole of the spleen, supplied by the inferior lobar vessels and segmental vessels, or by vessels of the gastrosplenic ligament, in subtotal splenectomy; to study the viability and function of the lower pole of the spleen.

Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were used in this study. Said animals weighed 273-390 g ( 355.