An experimental study on the effects of splenectomy on bone fracture healing

Abstract

Bone fracture healing is a complex process involving multiple mechanisms where immune system has vital role. The spleen is a part of this process and its effect on bone metabolism is not completely understood. Herein, the effects of simultaneous bone fractures and splenectomy were evaluated regarding early and late periods of fracture healing in rats. The closed fracture model was applied in sixty-four healthy male Wistar-albino rats. Rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups. The splenectomy was carried out in two groups. The early period was declared as three weeks and late period as five weeks for evaluating the fracture healing in rats,(Groups A: splenectomized 3rd week, Groups B: non-splenectomized 3rd week, Groups C: splenectomized 5th week, and Groups D: non-splenectomized 5th week). The groups were compared regarding radiological, biomechanical, and histopathological aspects at 3rd and 5th weeks of fracture healing. The callus/bone volume ratios of Groups C and D were lower than those of Groups A and B (A–C, p ≤ 0.001; B–D, p ≤ 0.001). Radiographic Union Score for Tibial Fracture scores of Groups C and D were higher than those for Groups A and B (A–C, p ≤ 0.001; B–D, p ≤ 0.001). Bone mineral density measurements of Groups C and D were higher than those for Groups A and B (A–C, p ≤ 0.001; A–D, p ≤ 0.001; B–C, p ≤ 0.001 and B–D, p ≤ 0.001). The histological scoring of Groups A was lower than Groups C and D (A–C, p = 0.004; A–D, p = 0.001). Splenectomy may thus adversely affect the early phase fracture healing.