There are varieties of surgical approaches reported for equine splenectomy and all of them were dealing with the most reachable situation of splenic hilus and easy handling of the spleen. The aim of this work was to establish the normal ultrasound parameters of spleen in donkeys (normal echogenicity, hilus situation, topographic location and correlation with neighboring organs) as a guide to select the best approach for total splenectomy in donkeys. Splenic ultrasound was carried out on six normal donkeys before experimental total splenectomy in the standing position. The splenic topographic location was recorded among 4 rows including 30 squares. These animals were divided into two groups according to the surgical approach of total splenectomy. Total splenectomy after left 16th and 17th ribs partial resection in standing position was carried out in group1 and group 2, respectively. Ultrasonographically, the spleen had homogenously echogenic pattern and appeared hyperechoic to the liver. Only one third of the spleen was located in front of the 16th rib where the hilus and splenic blood vessels were nearly under the 16th rib. The splenic artery and splenic vein were ultrasonographically visualized between the left 16th and 17th ribs 10-15 cm from dorsal midline. This area was the site of the important ligation during total splenectomy. In conclusion, ultrasonography guidance for total splenectomy in donkeys assisted the surgical findings and proved that technique following partial resection of the 17th rib at the standing position is the most convenient surgical approach for total splenectomy in donkeys.
Keywords: Intercostal spaces; Rib; Spleen; Splenomegaly; Ultrasound.