Experimental study of splenic trauma in monkeys

Abstract

Arteriography on monkey spleens indicates that the spleen has a segmental arterial supply. The response to various types of trauma was studied in terms of pulse rate, blood pressure, amount of blood loss, and the time taken for spontaneous arrest of bleeding to occur. The vertical tears simulating blunt trauma exhibited minimal signs of blood loss and healed by primary intention. Splenic injury inflicted with a sharp knife produced greater blood loss and resulted in infarction if the line of tear cut across the segmental splenic vessels. However, if the sharp wound was inflicted in such a manner that it did not compromise the blood supply, splenic infarction did not result. This study supports the hypothesis that splenic tears placed in the plane of the segmental vessels, rather than cutting across them, heal by primary union and they are well tolerated by the monkey.