TY - JOUR
T1 - Vanishing spleen after Nissen fundoplication: a case report.
AU - Dijkman, K.P.
AU - van Heurn, L.W.
AU - Leroy, P.L.
AU - Vos, G.D.
PY - 2009/1/1
Y1 - 2009/1/1
N2 - Nissen fundoplication is a generally accepted treatment for severe gastro-oesophageal reflux after conservative management has failed. The surgical techniques and the complications that may develop following the operation have been well described. However, necrosis of the spleen is a rare complication. We report here a patient with Down syndrome with a vanishing spleen after a Nissen fundoplication, who died of overwhelming pneumococcal septic shock 7 months after the operation. Vascular anomaly in Down syndrome, inadvertent ligation of the splenic artery or volvulus of the spleen may have caused a compromised splenic arterial circulation.Conclusion Nissen fundoplication may be associated with vanishing spleen and, consequently, with devastating consequences.
AB - Nissen fundoplication is a generally accepted treatment for severe gastro-oesophageal reflux after conservative management has failed. The surgical techniques and the complications that may develop following the operation have been well described. However, necrosis of the spleen is a rare complication. We report here a patient with Down syndrome with a vanishing spleen after a Nissen fundoplication, who died of overwhelming pneumococcal septic shock 7 months after the operation. Vascular anomaly in Down syndrome, inadvertent ligation of the splenic artery or volvulus of the spleen may have caused a compromised splenic arterial circulation.Conclusion Nissen fundoplication may be associated with vanishing spleen and, consequently, with devastating consequences.
U2 - 10.1007/s00431-008-0752-8
DO - 10.1007/s00431-008-0752-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 18597115
SN - 0340-6199
VL - 168
SP - 355
EP - 357
JO - European Journal of Pediatrics
JF - European Journal of Pediatrics
IS - 3
ER -