Laparoscopic pocket splenopexy for wandering spleen: a case report

Wandering spleen is a very uncommon condition. Because of the risk of pedicle torsion and splenic ischemia, severe consequences may occur if not diagnosed and treated in time. Unfortunately, splenectomy is sometimes necessary (ie, when splenic infarction occurs). Once the diagnosis of wandering spleen is made, splenopexy is the treatment of choice. There are numerous techniques designed for splenopexy, either by open surgery or by minimally invasive approaches. We describe here a laparoscopic procedure that allows an excellent fixation of the spleen using the patient's own tissues. After a 2-year follow-up, the organ remains in place with good perfusion.     

Wandering spleen presenting as recurrent pancreatitis

INTRODUCTION: A wandering spleen occurs when there is a laxity of the ligaments that fix the spleen in its normal anatomical position. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a wandering spleen in a 20-year-old female who presented with recurrent pancreatitis and underwent a laparoscopic splenectomy. DISCUSSION: The presentation of a wandering spleen varies from an asymptomatic mass to splenic infarct with an acute abdomen. Its correct diagnosis relies mostly on imaging studies. Treatment consists of performing either splenectomy or splenopexy. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of wandering spleen can often be difficult due to the intermittent nature of the torsion. Computed tomography studies for diagnosis and laparoscopic surgery have changed the management of this interesting disease.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis and previous abdominal surgery

Background: Wandering spleen is a spleen lacking its normal ligamentous attachments, and thus subjected to free movement in the abdominal cavity, and even torsion around its pedicle. Surgical treatment includes either fixation (splenopexy) or resection (splenectomy). Both procedures can now be accomplished using the laparoscopic approach. Methods and results: We describe a case of a torsion of a wandering spleen, leading to recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, and eventually to splenic ischemia, necessitating splenectomy. The diagnosis was complicated by associated angiographic findings of celiac axis occlusion, possibly by median arcuate ligament compression. Laparoscopic splenectomy was successful, and led to complete resolution of symptoms. Conclusions: Although a rare condition, wandering spleen can be diagnosed accurately by imaging studies, mainly CT scan and angiography. Nowadays, the laparoscopic approach is preferred and enables the surgeon to perform either splenopexy or splenctomy, depending on the vascular status of the spleen.     

Wandering spleen with torsion of the pedicle. A case report and review of the literature

Congenital deficiency or acquired laxity of the suspensory ligaments, that usually hold the spleen in place in its compartment, may result in extreme splenic mobility. Consequently, this mobility predisposes to torsion of the elongated splenic vascular pedicle creating a situation of acute abdomen due to haemorrhagic infarction. Various imaging modalities for diagnosing the wandering spleen such as ultrasonography, CT scan, MR-angiography, nuclear scan and arteriography are of great value both in the asymptomatic condition and in acute abdomen. We report on an unusual case of wandering spleen with torsion of the pedicle in a middle-aged woman which we casually diagnosed intraoperatively. It was not possible to preserve the wandering spleen by means of splenopexy because the splenic infarction required a splenectomy. Though the condition was not diagnosed prior to surgery, prompt intervention enabled the prognosis to remain unvaried. We review the cases reported in the literature and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic problems raised by this rare condition.     

Laparoscopic splenopexy for wandering spleen: case report and review of the literature

Wandering spleen is a rare condition in which the spleen lacks retroperitoneal fixation, thus its vascular pedicle can twist resulting in ischemia. Although splenectomy has traditionally been used for this condition, splenopexy is increasingly used in the pediatric population to anchor the spleen and preserve splenic function. We report an unusual case of wandering spleen in an adult with chronic torsion managed with laparoscopic splenopexy, suggesting splenic preservation is possible in adults with this presentation as well.     

Torsion of dystopic spleen--possible solutions

Early diagnosis the torsion of wandering spleen and surgical intervention are necessary to preserve the spleen, because persistant torsion can lead to splenic infarction. We present two cases with torsion of wandering spleen and different disease process and result. Diagnosis was by ultrasonography and CT angiography found. The 7-year-old boy with recurrent abdominal pain was admitted early and operated with spleenpreserving splenopexy. The 8-year-old girl with acute torsion of a wandering spleen was sent of after an initial misdiagnosis too late. Patient was managed by urgent laparotomy and splenectomy, because of splenic vessels thrombosis and splenic infarction. No complications occurred during two year postoperative follow up period of both patients.     

Regeneration of splenic remnants after partial splenectomy in rats

Splenic regeneration in the rat was measured after removal of 25, 50, or 75% of the spleen, 50% of the spleen with autotransplantation of the excised portion, and splenectomy with autotransplantation of 50% of the spleen. Splenic growth in rats undergoing sham splenectomies served as a control. Splenic mass at 6 weeks and 4 months after surgery was directly related to the remnant size. “Normalized” spleen weights (measured as grams of splenic tissue per 100 grams of rat weight) after 25, 50, and 75% splenectomy were 57, 41, and 38% of controls at 6 weeks, and 77, 71, and 44% of controls at 4 months. All differences were significant at P < 0.03 except those between 50 and 75% splenectomy at 6 weeks, and between 25 and 50% splenectomy at 4 months. A comparison of autotransplanted splenic mass after total splenectomy with that after 50% splenectomy (0.042 ± 0.005 and 0.025 ± 0.004, respectively, at 6 weeks) demonstrated that an intact subtotal spleen inhibited significantly regeneration of the autotransplanted spleen. The effect of autotransplanted splenic tissue on regeneration of a splenic remnant was little to none at 4 months.     

Laparoscopic splenectomy due to torsion of a wandering spleen

Wandering spleen is an uncommon entity, characterized by the anomalous position of the spleen, caused by the absence or laxity of its suspensory ligaments. The most common symptoms are usually due to intermittent or complete torsion of the splenic pedicle with subsequent infarction. We report a case of torsion of a wandering spleen. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed and recovery was uneventful. Although few cases of wandering spleen treated laparoscopically have been reported in the literature, laparoscopy has been demonstrated to be a safe technique for the treatment of this entity.     

Wandering spleen as a cause of acute abdomen: a case report

We report a case of acute abdomen due to torsion of the long vascular pedicle of a wandering spleen, displaced in the abdominal cavity, and caused by partial infarction of the spleen. The 46-year-old patient presented to the casualty department with piercing abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and a palpable mass in the mesogastric region. US and CT scan revealed the presence of a mass compatible with an ectopic spleen in the mesohypogastric region, featuring necrotic-haemorrhagic areas, a long, contorted vascular pedicle twisted on its axis, and an empty splenic space. We performed an emergency laparoscopic splenectomy. Conservative surgery (splenopexy) could not be done because of the severe impairment of the vascular supply to the organ. Nowadays, conservative surgery is preferred in cases without vascular impairment, especially in children, by creating an omental or synthetic pouch after fixing the organ in the splenic space.     

Wandering spleen in childhood: A report of three cases

Wandering spleen is a rare cause of abdominal pain in children, and an accurate diagnosis is seldom made preoperatively. A splenectomy is the treatment of choice in cases of splenic torsion and infarction, while in patients with chronic symptoms splenopexy may also be attempted. We herein report three patients with wandering spleen, of whom two presented with acute torsion of the splenic pedicle and one demonstrated an asymptomatic mobile abdominal mass. In the first case splenopexy was attempted, but during follow-up the spleen was found to have undergone atrophy. The presentation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment modalities in pediatric wandering spleen are reviewed.     

腹膜后自体脾移植术在肝硬变门静脉高压症治疗中的临床研究

目的　观察腹膜后自体脾移植联合食管下段横断术治疗肝硬变门静脉高压症的临床效果。方法　将20例肝功能Child A、B级的肝硬变门静脉高压症患者随机均分为自体脾移植组和切脾组。自体脾移植组采用自体带蒂脾组织腹膜后移植联合改良的食管下段横断术,切脾组则采用脾切除联合改良的食管下段横断术。以患者术前的情况为对照,在术后2~6 个月观察患者的一般情况、脾扫描、肝功能、血清促吞噬素(tuftsin)及IgM水平。结果　术后第6天切脾组死亡1例,术后第10天脾移植组出现再出血1 例。自体脾移植组术后血清tuftsin、IgM水平高于切脾组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.01),而对肝功能无明显影响。结论　腹膜后自体脾移植能维持脾脏的基本免疫功能,且能长期存活,在临床上推广应用是可行的。     

Accessory wandering spleen: Report of a case of laparoscopic approach in an asymptomatic patient

INTRODUCTION

Accessory wandering spleen is a rare but dangerous condition. Abnormalities of the ligamentous apparatus of an accessory spleen may evolve into torsion of its vascular axis, which can lead to a splenic infarct making surgery necessary. Patients are often asymptomatic and the diagnosis can be accidental. An early diagnosis and a correct treatment are fundamental.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

In this case report a young woman underwent laparoscopic surgery after an incidental finding at a Pelvic Ultrasound of an accessory wandering spleen.

DISCUSSION

In literature are reported cases of asymptomatic patients with an accessory wandering spleen treated with a conservative approach. However, a torsion or infarct of the accessory wandering spleen leads to emergency surgery. The presence of an independent vascular axis of the accessory spleen reduces the risk of postoperative complications (e.g. thrombocytosis) and the administration of low molecular weight heparin should prevent the risk of portal thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

We suggest performing surgery with a laparoscopic approach in patients with accessory wandering spleen, though asymptomatic, because of the risk of serious complications in case of accessory spleen torsion.     

Splenic phagocytic function after partial splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation

We investigated splenic reticuloendothelial activity after splenic preservation procedures to determine their effect upon the phagocytic function of the spleen. We performed the following procedures in Sprague-Dawley rats: sham laparotomy, total splenectomy, hemisplenectomy, subtotal splenectomy, or total splenectomy with intraperitoneal splenic autotransplantation. At nine weeks after operation, phagocytic function of the spleen was determined by measuring radiocolloid uptake. Mean (+/- SEM) splenic phagocytic indices for sham laparotomy (41.2 +/- 2.9), hemisplenectomy (44 +/- 2.9), and subtotal splenectomy (43.2 +/- 5.2) were similar; however, the phagocytic index was reduced markedly after autotransplantation (15.8 +/- 2.2). These data demonstrate that the phagocytic function of the spleen after hemisplenectomy and subtotal splenectomy correlates highly with the weight of the splenic remnant; however, phagocytic function after autotransplantation remains reduced even after accounting for differences in splenic weight.     

自体脾腹膜后移植在创伤性脾破裂中的临床应用

目的探讨自体脾组织移植在治疗创伤性脾破裂的应用.方法对本组于2000年1月至2005年4月22例脾破裂行全脾切除后,再行自体脾组织腹膜后移植术.通过检测外周血IgM、IgA、IgG水平和B超,CT、99mTc扫描来观察移植脾片成活和吞噬功能恢复情况.结果术后随访均显示移植脾存活良好,脾功能满意.结论自体脾组织移植可作为严重脾外伤全脾切除术后保留脾功能的一个重要有效手段.     

Splenic torsion: a case report

IntroductionTorsion of the spleen is a rare cause of abdominal pain. Predisposition occurs following abnormal development of splenic suspensory ligaments. We report a case of splenic torsion in a spleen sited in a normal anatomical position and discuss the latest treatment options. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been reported in the literature to date.Case PresentationA 73-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our department with sudden onset, severe, left-upper abdominal pain. An enhanced computed tomography revealed an unenhancing spleen. She underwent an urgent laparotomy and splenectomy for 360° torsion of her spleen.ConclusionsSplenic torsion in a wandering spleen has been described with an incidence of < 0.2%. Symptoms vary from asymptomatic to an acute surgical abdomen. Diagnosis is commonly made using colour Doppler sonography or enhanced computed tomography. Surgery is guided by clinical setting, with preservation of the spleen as the goal.     

Posttraumatic autotransplantation of spleen tissue

Clinical and laboratory studies have documented high susceptibility to pneumococcal infection in asplenic humans and animals. Splenic autotransplantation has been suggested as a method of preserving function. Autotransplantation of irreparably damaged spleens in humans preserved splenic functions. Ten patients operated on for blunt abdominal trauma required unavoidable splenectomy. In each, autotransplantation of the removed spleen (roughly 50 g) was performed. Postoperative studies of splenic functions revealed disappearance of Howell-Jolly bodies from peripheral blood. Levels of IgM, which were initially significantly depressed, returned to normal and there were normal technetium Tc 99m sulfur colloid scans ten weeks after surgery. All patients are alive and healthy. Our data suggest that autotransplantation of spleen is a safe alternative method for preserving splenic function when total splenectomy is mandatory for hemostasis.     

自体脾移植联合食管横断吻合术治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症

目的 探讨腹膜后自体脾移植联合食管横断吻合术治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症的临床疗效.方法 将2003年1月至2006年12月收治的36例肝硬化门静脉高压症患者随机分为自体脾移植组(n=18)和脾切除组(n=18),自体脾移植组接受脾切除、食管横断吻合及自体脾移植术,脾切除组接受脾切除、食管横断吻合术.于术前及术后2～6个月定期观察两组患者的一般情况、行脾脏放射性核素扫描,同时检测肝功能、血清促吞噬素(Tuftsin)及IgM水平,并行组间及手术前后比较分析.结果 自体脾移植组患者术后2个月血清Tuftsin和IgM水平与术前比较无明显差异(P0.05),而脾切除组患者术后2个月血清Tuftsin和IgM水平较术前明显降低(P<0.05);自体脾移植术对患者肝功能无明显影响;术后2个月放射性核素扫描证实移植脾于腹膜后存活.结论 自体脾移植对保留机体脾脏免疫功能具有重要价值,腹膜后自体脾移植联合食管横断吻合术治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症的临床效果确切,值得推广应用.     

Intrauterine torsion of a wandering spleen presenting as an abdominal cystic swelling

Wandering spleen is a rare clinical condition that presents commonly with splenic infarction secondary to torsion. Intrauterine torsion of a wandering spleen, however, is extremely rare. An unusual case of intrauterine torsion of a wandering spleen presenting as an abdominal mass is reported.     

Laparoscopic splenopexy by peritoneal and omental pouch construction for intermittent splenic torsion ("wandering spleen")

Wandering spleen is an extremely rare anatomic variant with potentially serious clinical implications. Usually, splenectomy is advocated for treatment of this disease. Various methods for preserving the wandering spleen by means of splenopexy have been described, including two reports on laparoscopic splenic refixation. We describe the third case in which laparoscopic splenopexy was used to manage chronic intermittent splenic torsion. In a 25-year-old woman, splenopexy was successfully performed by laparoscopic reposition and fixation of the spleen by omental pouch creation. At laparoscopy with a normal operating room setup and four trocars, a free-floating, macroscopically normal spleen attached to an abnormally long vascular pedicle with no gastrosplenic or phrenicosplenic ligaments was detected in the lower right quadrant. The spleen was repositioned and placed in the left phrenorenal angle. Splenopexy was achieved by suturing the left colophrenic ligament to the lateral diaphragm, thus creating a pouch for the inferior part of the spleen, and by suturing the gastrocolic ligament to the anterior diaphragm to create a pouch for the upper splenic pole. The postoperative course was uneventful. At a follow-up examination 3 months after the operation, the patient was well, with no further episode of recurrent abdominal pain. Ultrasonographically, the spleen was seen easily in the left hypochondrium in its normal physiologic position. Laparoscopic splenopexy is a useful option for organ-preserving therapy of the wandering spleen.     

The value of partial splenic autotransplantation in patients with portal hypertension: a prospective randomized study.

HYPOTHESIS: Splenic autotransplantation plays a role in preserving immune function of the spleen in patients with portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty patients (19 men and 1 woman; aged 33-80 years) suffering from portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Each group consisted of 10 patients. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent modified Sugiura operation. In the control group, splenectomy was performed, while partial splenic autotransplantation into the retroperitoneal space was additionally completed in the splenic autotransplantation group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum tuftsin and IgM were measured preoperatively and 2 months after surgery. Dynamic scintigraphy with technetium Tc 99m-labeled heat-damaged erythrocytes was performed at 2-month intervals during the 8-month follow-up. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the mortality of the groups. The preoperative levels of serum tuftsin and IgM showed no statistical difference between groups. However, although these measures had decreased remarkably in the control group 2 months after operation (P<.001 for serum tuftsin; P =.04 for serum IgM), they remained stable in the splenic autotransplantation group (P =.25 for serum tuftsin; P =.12 for serum IgM). Four patients within the splenic autotransplantation group showed positive scanning of the transplanted splenic fragment during follow-up, whereas there was no positive scanning in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that partial splenic autotransplantation can preserve immune function of the spleen, as measured by serum levels of tuftsin and IgM, in patients with portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis.