[Effects of splenectomy on peritonitis produced by a colonic injury: study in rats].

Background: Study the effects of splenectomy on the intra-abdominal infection by bowel flora, consequent to a colonic injury in Wistar rats.

Methods: We used 64 animals, 20 for Group A1 (normal with colon lesion left open), 22 for Group A2 (normal with colon lesion sutured) and 22 for Group B (spleen removed). The animals were submitted to a laparatomy through a midline abdominal incision and peritonitis was induced by a colonic lesion in the colon previously distended with 2 ml of saline introduced in the rectum. Bacteriological studies of the abdominal wash obtained with a sterilized swab and microscopic studies of samples of the segment of the sutured colon obtained at 48 hrs, 96 hrs and on the 12 post op day, were made in each group. All rats were submitted to an autopsy on the day of death or on the 12th post op day when the survivors were sacrificed.

Results: Similar bacteria were found in the three groups. E. coli (100%); Enterococcus fecalis (97%); Klebsiela pneumoniae (70%); Citrobacter freundi (70%) and Enterobacter aglomerans (63%). In the first 96 hours the rats without spleen had a lesser inflammatory reaction when compared to the group with spleen. The leading cause of death was generalized peritonitis in the first 96 hours. There was a significant statistical difference in the mortality rate between Group B (80%), Group A2 (no mortality) and Group A1 (35%).

Conclusion: There was a significant statistical difference in the mortality rate caused by peritonitis between the groups with splenectomy when compared to the group with no splenectomy.