Low prevalence of hemoperitoneum recurrence in dogs following splenectomy for benign splenic tumors.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to describe the outcomes and prevalence of hemoperitoneum recurrence in dogs presumptively cured following splenectomy for spontaneously ruptured benign splenic lesions. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a cohort of 83 client-owned dogs with spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to a histologically benign, bleeding splenic lesion was performed. Medical records of dogs with ruptured benign splenic tumors presenting with hemoperitoneum were reviewed, in addition to owner follow-up, to determine if subsequent hemoperitoneum events occurred. Data were analyzed using statistical software(GraphPad Prism 10.1.2). Results: A total of 59 patients (71%) were alive at the end of the follow-up period (median follow-up duration of 375 days; range: 128-1,062),with no new concerns related to previous splenectomy or hemoperitoneum. Of the 59 dogs, 6 died and 18 dogs (28.9%) were euthanized during the follow up period. Recurrent hemoperitoneum was identified in three dogs at 40, 68,and 385 days postoperatively, associated with a new liver lesion, an abdominal lesion of unclear origin, or hepatic nodules as the reason for the rebleeding events. Additional sectioning of the initial lesions was not performed. Discussion: Second hemoperitoneum events occurred, but were uncommon, accounting for 3.6%of cases in this study. Reasons for recurrent spontaneous hemoperitoneum may include the development of a new lesion, the presence of a secondary non-splenic lesion that was unidentified during preoperative staging or abdominal exploratory, or histopathologic misdiagnosis of the original lesion.