title: Open and laparoscopic treatment of nonparasitic splenic cysts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nonparasitic splenic cysts are rare. Therefore, there is no 'evidence-based' information regarding their optimal surgical management. In the last years the laparoscopic approach has gained increasing acceptance in splenic surgery. The aim of this study is to present our experience with the laparoscopic management of splenic cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 7 patients with splenic cysts were reviewed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One patient had an open partial splenic resection. Five patients, 3 of them with a posttraumatic and 2 with an epidermoid splenic cyst, underwent laparoscopic unroofing of the cyst. In 4 of these cases the postoperative course was uneventful, whereas in 1 case the patient developed a cyst relapse soon postoperatively. Later on this patient successfully underwent an open partial splenic resection. The 7th patient had an explorative laparoscopy. The cyst was located intrasplenically, entirely covered with unaffected splenic parenchyma, and reached the splenic hilus. Therefore, a conversion to open partial splenectomy was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open partial splenectomy and laparoscopic cyst wall unroofing are both effective tools in the management of splenic nonparasitic cysts. Surgeons must master both techniques as nowadays spleen-preserving techniques should be attempted in every case of splenic nonparasitic cyst.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Switzerland. d.gianom@spitalmaennedorf.ch
authors.forename: Duri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gianom
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wildisen
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hotz
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Decurtins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed