Splenectomy
| Available in: Rats and Mice | Anesthetics | Analgesic |
| Pre-Operative Procedures | Intra-Operative Care | Post-Operative Care |
Surgical Preparation
The animal is anesthetized and clipped over the abdominal region. Sterile eye lubricant is placed in both eyes, and the clipped skin area over the abdomen is surgically prepared. The animal is placed in dorsal recumbency on a surgery board fitted with a sterile board drape. Analgesic is administered.
Surgical Description
The surgical site is draped with a sterile drape. To expose the spleen, ventral, midline, longitudinal incisions are made to the skin and the abdominal wall at anterior abdominal level. Padded retractors are used to increase visibility. The spleen is externalized and the splenic vessels are ligated below the point of splenic branching. The spleen is excised and the abdominal cavity is flushed with sterile saline.
Surgical Closing
The abdominal incision is closed with approved closing materials (suture or stainless steel clips), and the surgery sites are treated with an approved disinfectant followed by an alcohol swabbing.
Sham
A standard sham splenectomy model is prepared as described above with regards to surgical site preparation, dissection of the abdomen, retraction, externalization of the spleen, closing, and surgical site disinfection; however, no tissue is removed.
