Abstract
Situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital anomaly in which position of the heart and all abdominal viscera is reversed. Situs abnormalities usually go unnoticed but may be recognized by radiography or ultrasonography as an incidental finding or during evaluation for congenital heart diseases. It is a rare condition with incidence of 1 in every 8,000 to 25000 births. We present a case of blunt trauma abdomen in a young man with situs inversus totalis leading to splenic injury and stress upon the fact on the need of aggressive management in any blunt trauma.
Key words: Situs inversus totalis, blunt trauma, splenctomy
Introduction
Situs inversus is a rare congenital anomaly of reversal site of thoracic and abdominal organs [1]. It can be partial (only one cavity) or with total abdominal and thoracic organs affected1.The first case was described in 1600 by Fabricius [2]. This anatomical anomaly does not affect survival and is not considered pre-malignant [3]. It is usually diagnosed incidentally with imaging. Surgical procedures are considered more difficult in patients with this condition by the anatomical difference and position of organs [4]. Situs inversus totalis refers to a mirror image reversal of normal position of internal organs. The …show more content…
The term situs refers to position or location of an organ, specifically position of atria and abdominal viscera in relation to midline of the body. Situs inversus totalis refers to a mirror image reversal of normal position of internal organs [6]. it is generally an autosomal recessive genetic condition, although it can be sex linked. There is 5-10% prevalence of congenital heart disease in individuals with situs inversus totalis, most commonly transposition of great vessels