Splenic abscess after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: a consequence of short gastric vessel division

A 53-year-old male patient underwent a Nissen fundoplication with short gastric vessel (SGV) division for gastroesophageal reflux disease. During the procedure, the upper pole of the spleen was noted to have discrete color changes suggesting ischemia of this area. One month later he presented with a splenic abscess, which required splenectomy. The clinical presentation and management of this case is reported and comments are made on surgical aspects of SGV division during fundoplication to prevent this potentially dangerous situation. Issues such as the surgical management of splenic abscesses, the limitations of laparoscopic splenectomy in these cases, and the risks and benefits of SGV division, are also discussed in this article.