A rare cause of ileus: Wandering spleen

Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare clinical condition resulting from an abnormally long splenic pedicle and the absence or weakening of the supporting splenic ligaments that help to hold the spleen stationary. WS is more commonly seen in females aged between 20 and 40 years. Congenital and acquired factors are reported as the predisposing factors for WS. Patients with WS may be asymptomatic, or may be evident with a painful abdominal mass or an acute abdomen due to gastrointestinal symptoms and torsion of the WS. The diagnosis of WS can be established incidentally or during the Ultrasonography (USG) or Computed Tomography (CT) explorations performed for other pathologies. A high index of suspicion aids in the diagnosis of WS. WS is mostly treated by surgery and splenopexy remains the method of choice. In the cases with persistent ischemia following detorsion, splenectomy should be performed either via laparoscopy or laparotomy. In the present report, we present a 37-year-old woman who presented with a wandering spleen causing ileus. The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. Wandering spleen is a rare condition which should be suspected as a potential cause of ileus and acute abdomen