National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Wandering spleen


Other Names:
Displaced spleen; Drifting spleen; Splenoptosis; Displaced spleen; Drifting spleen; Splenoptosis; Floating spleen; Splenic ptosis See More
Wandering spleen is a rare condition that occurs when the spleen lacks one or more of the ligments that hold the spleen in its normal position in the upper left abdomen. If a person is born with this condition it is referred to as congenital wandering spleen. The condition is not hereditary. Acquired wandering spleen may occur during adulthood due to injuries or other underlying conditions that may weaken the ligaments that hold the spleen. Symptoms of wandering spleen may include englargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, nausea, vomiting, fever, and a lump in the abdomen or the pelvis. Some individuals with this condition do not have symptoms. Treatment for this condition involes removal of the spleen (splenectomy).[1][2]
Last updated: 4/25/2012
Because wandering spleen can cause life-threatening complications (such as splenic infarction, portal hypertension, and hemorrhage), surgery to remove the spleen is the preferred treatment method for patients. Laparoscopic splenectomy is the typical method used for spleen removal. Splenopexy (surgically fixing the floating spleen) is associated with a high risk of recurrence and complications and is not the preferred treatment choice.[1]

Last updated: 4/25/2012

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Wandering spleen. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • I am 26 years old and I have wandering spleen. I would like to know what is the best treatment option for my problem. Can I have a healthy pregnancy with my condition? What are the consequences of spleen removal surgery? See answer


  1. Yücel E, Kurt Y, Ozdemir Y, Gun I, Yildiz M. Laparoscopic splenectomy for the treatment of wandering spleen in a pregnant woman: a case report. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech.. 2012; 2:102-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22487633. Accessed 4/25/2012.
  2. NORD. Wandering spleen. NORD. 2008; http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/1010/viewAbstract. Accessed 4/25/2012.