title: Selecting a surgical modality to treat a splenic hydatid cyst: total splenectomy or spleen-saving surgery?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed the outcomes and effectiveness of surgical treatments and clinical manifestations of splenic hydatid cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2000 and 2011, we retrospectively reviewed the cases of 11 patients who were operated on for a splenic hydatid cyst. The demographic features, medical history, physical examinations, biochemical and serological tests, imaging modalities, and surgical treatment of the patients were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean patient age was 36.45 years (range, 20-66 years). While isolated splenic hydatid disease was present in five patients, other abdominal hydatid cysts were accompanied by a splenic hydatid cyst in six patients. Left upper abdominal pain was present in seven (64%) patients, whereas four (36%) patients were asymptomatic. Eight patients (72.72%) had undergone a total splenectomy and three (27.28%) had undergone spleen-preserving surgery. Postoperative complications developed in four (36%) patients at 5-15 days postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Management of a splenic hydatid cyst is not consensual. Total splenectomy is optimal because it provides definitive treatment. However, spleen-preserving surgery is the preferred treatment in selected patients. The choice of technique depends on the localization, number, and size of hydatid cysts, and the absence or presence of other hydatic organ cysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, 21280, Diyarbakir, Turkey. zulfuarikanoglu@gmail.com
authors.forename: Zulfu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Arikanoglu
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Taskesen
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gumus
authors.forename: Akin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Onder
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aliosmanoglu
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gul
authors.forename: Omer Lutfi
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Akgul
authors.forename: Celalettin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013154:Spleen / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth