Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia and Wandering Spleen

Ricky Tavangari, MD

Product Details
Product ID: ACS-6132
Year Produced: 2020
Length: 10 min.


This is a case report of a 67-year-old woman with past medical history relevant for hyperlipidemia and acid reflux. Patient sustained blunt trauma in 2019 as a restrained passenger in a T-bone collision. Injuries included a sternal fracture with no rib fractures. She was discharged after a brief period of observation. One year later she was referred to gastroenterology for a 2-month history of severe intermittent left upper abdominal pain radiating into the chest, left flank. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis was ordered. Final report revealed a focal defect in the left hemidiaphragm posteriorly. Extending through the defect into the thoracic cavity posteriorly was the spleen as well as the splenic vascular pedicle. The patient was then brought to the operating room for a robotic diaphragmatic hernia repair with mesh and robotic splenopexy with absorbable mesh to prevent future episodes of torsion and infarction. After induction of general endotracheal anesthesia, the patient was placed in steep trendelenberg positioning. The hernia sac was mobilized and a 6x6cm left-sided diaphragmatic hernia was noted. The hernia contained the spleen without its ligaments consistent with a wandering spleen. The defect was closed primarily in two layers and then covered with mesh. The spleen was pexied to the diaphragm and the retroperitoneum using a Vicryl mesh. The patient was started on a full liquid diet on postoperative day 0. She was discharged home on postoperative day 3. Patient reported complete resolution of her preoperative symptoms at the two week follow up visit.