An unusual case of acute pancreatitis and gastric outlet obstruction associated with wandering spleen treated by laparoscopic splenopexy

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2011 Jun;21(5):467-70. doi: 10.1089/lap.2010.0417. Epub 2011 Mar 5.

Abstract

Wandering spleen (WS) is an uncommon condition, usually asymptomatic, often recognized as an incidental finding. When symptoms occur, they can vary, although acute abdominal pain is the most common presentation in the pediatric population. In some cases, WS can become a dangerous condition because of the risk of splenic ischemia from persistent pedicle torsion. We describe a case of WS in a 3-year-old boy presenting with vomiting, abdominal swelling, and acute pancreatitis; the diagnosis was obtained by ultrasound and computed tomography. Laparoscopic splenopexy was successfully performed through an extraperitoneal pocket and a Vicryl mesh. To the best of our knowledge, the combination of gastric outlet obstruction and acute pancreatitis has never been reported as presenting symptoms of WS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Child, Preschool
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / complications*
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Male
  • Pancreatitis / complications*
  • Pancreatitis / surgery*
  • Wandering Spleen / complications*
  • Wandering Spleen / surgery*