Splenic artery ligation improves remnant liver function in partially hepatectomized rats with ischemia/reperfusion injury

Background: In liver resection, the temporary occlusion of the hepatoduodenal ligament (Pringle maneuver) is often used. However, the maneuver causes severe ischemia/reperfusion injury in the remnant liver. Our aim was to investigate the effects of splenic artery ligation on the liver function in partially hepatectomized rat with the Pringle maneuver. Methods: The Pringle maneuver was conducted for 30 min just before a two-thirds partial hepatectomy. Splenic artery ligation was performed before the Pringle maneuver. The efficacy of splenic artery ligation was assessed by survival, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), recovery of remnant liver weight, and portal pressure. Results: On day 3, animal survival was four rats of 12 in partially hepatectomized rats with the Pringle maneuver and 10 rats of 12 in the splenic artery ligation-treated partially hepatectomized rats with the Pringle maneuver. A two-thirds partial hepatectomy alone or splenic artery ligation itself did not show any effects on the survival. Compared with partially hepatectomized rats with the Pringle maneuver, splenic artery-ligated animals had lower serum AST and ALT levels, and higher recovery of remnant liver weight. Splenic artery ligation significantly reduced the portal pressure and also decreased the fatality in excessively hepatectomized rats. Conclusions: Splenic artery ligation ameliorated the remnant liver function in partially hepatectomized rats with the Pringle maneuver and excessively hepatectomized rats. The amelioration may be mediated at least by decreasing portal pressure.