The collateral arterial network of the spleen following ligation of the splenic artery in traumatic rupture of the spleen; an arteriographic study.

Ligation of the splenic artery, combined with splenorrhaphy, was used successfully on eight children with splenic trauma involving major segmental vessels. Evaluation of the collateral arterial network and of its adequacy was done by means of arteriography on four out of the eight patients. Aortographies were carried out on the twentieth day, the first month, the third month, and the fourth month following the ligation. A collateral arterial network, deriving mainly from the short gastric arteries was detected, dyestream disruption and retrograde filling of the artery. No complications after aortography were noted. Findings demonstrate that collateral blood supply develops rapidly and its pattern is rather uniform.