Splenopexy for Wandering Spleen with Torsion in a Child

ABSTRACT

Torsion of the wandering spleen is a rare condition especially in children. Unfortunatly, splenectomy was the advocated treatment of choice for wandering spleen in many children up to 1985 in spite of the well-known possibility of overwhelming postsplenectomy sepsis. Because of the conclusive evidence of the vital function of the spleen in infection, indication of splenectomy have been revised and more attention has been paid to preserving the spleen where possible. We are presented a girl with splenic torsion, seen as a migratory abdominal mass and intermittent vague abdominal pain. Splenopexy by fixation of the spleen to the diaphragm and posterolateral peritoneum and the use of A vitene in the splenic bed was successfully performed. Complete fixation of the spleen was confirmed by ultrasound a year after this procedure was carried out. The clinical pesentation, etiology, diagnostic procedures and management are discussed also.