The application of intermittent splenic artery occlusion for treating iatrogenic splenic injury: an animal experiment

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the value of intermittent splenic artery occlusion in the treatment of iatrogenic splenic injury and the cause of ischemia reperfusion injury. Methods Experimental animals using dogs were divided into experimental group and control group according to whether the splenic artery was blocked. The animal model of iatrogenic splenic injury was established by general anesthesia. Experimental group was treated with intermittent splenic artery blockage combined with gelatin sponge oppression of the wound to stop bleeding. The first time of splenic artery occlusion was 15 min and continued for 10 min and for another 5 min if still bleeding. Then hemostatic effect after removing blocking and oppression was observed. Control group was only treated with gelatin sponge compression to stop bleeding. Blood samples and tissue samples were collected before blocking and after reperfusion for 2 hours in experimental group, and before compression and relieving the compression for 2 hours in control group. IL-1 (interleukin), SOD (superoxide disproportionation enzyme), MPO (myeloperoxidase), MDA (malondialdehyde) and caspase-3 (aspartame acid cysteine protease) were detected. Results The control group still had bleeding, while the experimental group had successfully stopped bleeding. Serum markers before and after occlusion in the experimental group were IL-1 (124.4±106.8 vs.121.2±105.1), SOD (4.7±2.7 vs.5.2±1.8) and MDA (8.8±6.5 vs10.8±7.5). There were no significant differences on serum markers in two groups after occlusion/oppression including IL-1 (121.2±105.1 vs. 162.8±73.8), SOD (5.2±1.8 vs. 4.7±2.8) and MDA (10.8±7.5 vs. 9.6±6.6) (P>0.05). Histological indicators before and after occlusion in the experimental group included MPO (0.62±0.23 vs. 0.68±0.21) and Caspase-3 (0.90±0.29 vs. 0.86±0.26), and there was no statistical difference on MPO (0.68±0.21 vs. 0.86±0.23 after two sets of experiments) and Caspase-3 level (0.86±0.26 vs.1.21±0.18) (P>0.05) in two groups after occlusion/oppression. Conclusion The therapeutic effect of intermittent splenic artery occlusion combined with gelatin sponge compression hemostasis is safe and effective and without obvious ischemia reperfusion injury. Key words: Iatrogenic splenic injury; Intermittent splenic artery occlusion; Animal experiment; Canine; Gelatin sponge