Treatment of splenic cyst by laparoscopic partial splenectomy: case report.
BACKGROUND
Congenital splenic cysts are rare. They have a tendency to bleed, to become infected or to rupture and, for these reasons, must be treated. Treatment using splenectomy has the advantage of not presenting recurrence but carries the risk of immunological complications. Treatment through aspiration of the cyst or decapsulation preserves the spleen but with a high rate of recurrence. Optimal treatment is partial splenectomy. A portion of healthy splenic tissue is included that avoids recurrence and preserves the organ. We report the case of a child with a splenic cyst resolved by partial splenectomy done laparoscopically.


METHODS
We report the case of a 7-year-old female with abdominal pain and hemi-abdominal mass in the upper left abdomen. With the use of ultrasound and tomography, a splenic cyst was detected. With laparoscopy, a partial splenectomy was performed with harmonic scalpel at 0.5 cm from the outer cyst. The patient was released the next day without complications and was followed-up for 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic approach allows resection of splenic cysts with a margin of healthy tissue without risk of bleeding or recurrence. Patient recovery is rapid, avoiding the morbidity associated with large incisions.
Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Hospital Infantil Privado, México, D.F., Mexico. carloscirped@hotmail.com
Carlos
C
García-Hernández
Lourdes
L
Carvajal-Figueroa
Juan Carlos
JC
Dueñas-Ramírez
Sergio
S
Landa-Juárez
D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography