Partial laparoscopic decapsulation of splenic cysts: long-term results

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of laparoscopic decapsulation in the management of splenic cysts. Cystic disease of spleen is an infrequent entity. Laparoscopic surgery should be considered as the method of choice for the greater of patients diagnosed with a splenic cyst. We provide 2 new cases of splenic cysts treated with partial laparoscopic decapsulation using harmonic scalpel. The patients were examined 5 years later and no cysts recurrence was found.     

Partial laparoscopic decapsulation of congenital splenic cysts: a medium-term evaluation proves the efficiency in children

BACKGROUND: In children, laparoscopic decapsulation of large congenital splenic cysts has occasionally been advocated, but substantial series focusing on its long-term success are still lacking. We report the follow-up experiences from two pediatric surgical centers. METHODS: The decision to proceed to surgery was based on patient symptoms and cyst size (>4 cm and/or progression), after strictly exclusion of a parasitic cause (by serology and CT scan). With the use of three ports (5-10-mm) and a Harmonic Scalpel, the epithelial portion of the cyst was radically excised. The remaining hilar epithelium was coagulated carefully. After discharge, the children were examined regularly by ultrasound to detect recurrences. RESULTS: From 1998 until 2002, eight children (mean age, 11.1 years; range, 3.1-16.4) were treated for cysts ranging from 4 to 15 cm in diameter. All procedures were completed without significant intraoperative complications (no major bleeding, no conversions). The mean operating time was 75 min (range, 56-184). Postoperatively, one child developed a cystic remnant (2 cm), which remained unchanged during 30 months of observation. After a mean follow-up of 2.2 years (range, 13-38 months), none of the patients showed any evidence of recurrent growth, and all of them had healthy splenic remnants. CONCLUSION: Partial laparoscopic decapsulation is an advantageous approach to large splenic cysts in children, because it is effective, preserves splenic tissue, and provides good medium-term results.     

Laparoscopic decapsulation of congenital splenic cysts: a step forward in splenic preservation

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of laparoscopic decapsulation in the management of congenital splenic cysts in children.

Methods

Patients who presented over the last decade with congenital splenic cysts and were treated with laparoscopic decapsulation were reviewed retrospectively. The authors performed 4 procedures in 3 patients aged 10, 11 (and later 13), and 13 years. In all cases there was progressive enlargement of a single cyst, which lay in the upper pole of the spleen in 3 instances and in the lower pole in the fourth. Pneumoperitoneum was induced using the Veress needle technique, and 3 or 4 ports were utilized. Cysts were aspirated initially before marsupialization with excision of around two thirds of the cyst wall. Both endoshears and the harmonic scalpel were used with good hemostatic effect.

Results

All patients had a good outcome with cyst resolution on long-term follow-up using serial ultrasound scanning. The first patient (in 1993) remained 3 days as an in patient postoperatively, and the others stayed overnight only. One patient had a new cyst near the first 30 months after the initial procedure. This again was dealt with laparoscopically, with patient discharge the following day. There were no complications in the short or long term. Histology in all cases confirmed a simple epithelial cyst. Median follow-up was 2 years (range, 6 months to 8 years).

Conclusions

Our experience shows that laparoscopic decapsulation is an effective means of managing congenital splenic cysts and that both harmonic scalpel and endoshears are satisfactory dissecting instruments. Extensive marsupialization is probably unnecessary in these larger cysts, because long-term follow-up has shown no increased risk of recurrence after leaving a significant proportion of the cyst wall behind. This approach helps avoid major surgery in these cases.     

Needlescopic decapsulation of a splenic epithelial cyst.

As technology advances, the techniques of laparoscopic surgery are being refined and their application is expanding to include many disease processes and organs. The new-generation laparoscopic instruments are becoming smaller (less than 5 mm). Expected advantages include improvements in cosmesis and patient satisfaction, and decreased postoperative analgesic requirements. Non-neoplastic cysts of the spleen are rare, and their management has evolved from total open splenectomy to laparoscopic cyst decapsulation. A 22-year-old woman with a symptomatic 10-cm epithelial cyst was treated by splenic decapsulation with needlescopic instruments (3 mm or smaller). Three trocars were used: one 12-mm umbilical and two 3-mm subcostal ports. The cyst was punctured by a Veress needle, and after drainage of straw-coloured fluid, circumferential decapsulation with 5-mm laparoscopic shears through the umbilical port site was done. The patient was discharged within 24 hours, having had a single intramuscular injection of meperidine and an excellent cosmetic result.     

Laparoscopic partial splenectomy for a splenic pseudocyst

We describe a laparoscopic hemisplenectomy that was performed to treat a 21-year-old patient with a large splenic pseudocyst located in the upper splenic pole. The diagnosis was made by computed tomography and ultrasound, and surgery was performed with ultrasound scalpel, clips, and fibrin glue. Surgery lasted 70 min and did not require blood transfusions. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3, and at 28-month follow-up there were no sequelae or recurrences. The laparoscopic approach is a valid alternative to laparotomy because the integrated magnified view enables the surgical team to perform surgery in a much shorter time and with greater hemostatic accuracy than the traditional technique.     

Giant iatrogenic splenic pseudocyst

Partial splenic arterial embolization was used to treat hypersplenism in a 10-year-old boy with portal hypertension secondary to congenital hepatic fibrosis. After embolization the spleen remained enlarged, but the boy's platelet count increased and his variceal bleeding ceased. One month later, he returned with vomiting and an abdominal mass. Computed tomography showed a large cyst of the spleen with a small rim of residual splenic tissue. Percutaneous drainage with ultrasound guidance yielded 2,800 mL of brown fluid. Wedge-shaped infarctions are described early after splenic embolization, and these areas eventually fibrose and contract. In this case, the embolization resulted in splenic necrosis and liquefaction with pseudocyst formation. This unusual complication was effectively treated without surgery.     

Partial splenectomy for a splenic cyst

Partial splenectomy for a large splenic cyst was performed in a seven-year-old girl referred for splenomegaly. The increased risk of sepsis in splenectomized patients induced the successful attempt at partial splenectomy. The surgical procedure described involved removal of the cyst while preserving as much of the spleen as possible. In view of the planocellular epithelial lining, the pathological diagnosis was of a rare congenital, intrasplenic cyst.     

Infectious mononucleosis and splenic pseudocyst: presentation of a case

The authors report the clinical case of an 18-year-old patient who presented with a symptomatic mass in the left upper quadrant 6 months after having infectious mononucleosis. The preoperative investigation consisted principally of echography and computerized axial tomography of the abdomen, which demonstrated a cystic mass of the lower pole of the spleen. Splenectomy was carried out. Histologic examination showed a pseudocyst of the spleen with a fibrous capsule without an epithelial lining. The treatment and pathogenesis of pseudocysts of the spleen secondary to infectious mononucleosis are discussed.     

Pseudocystectomy: An unusual operation for an atypical pancreatic pseudocyst

Pancreatic pseudocyst is an amylase‐rich peri‐pancreatic fluid collection devoid of epithelial lining. Occasionally, it cannot be differentiated from cystic neoplasm of pancreas and resections are required. We report a case of pancreatic pseudocyst masquerading cystic neoplasm treated with distal pancreatectomy. The investigation strategy and management of cystic lesions of the pancreas are also discussed.     

Laparoscopic fenestration and omentopexy as treatment for large splenic pseudocyst: Case report

Introduction and importancePseudocysts of the spleen are rare entities with cystic lesions of the spleen being uncommon in general. It is estimated that splenic cysts occur in about 0, 07% of the population¹. In general, splenic cystic lesions are discovered incidentally or by mass effect. In the literature, only a limited number of splenic cysts are reported. We report a case of splenic pseudocyst with mass effect where we used laparoscopic fenestration of the pseudocyst with omentopexy as a treatment of choice.Case presentationThe patient is a 62-year-old male with no previous history of trauma. He visited his GP for abdominal pain with flaring towards the left shoulder accompanied by early satiety, occasional obstipation, and breathing difficulties. He was referred to our hospital after enhanced computed tomography showed a 15 × 13 cm splenic cyst with displaced stomach and pancreatic tail medially and left kidney downward.Management options were discussed with the patient and he opted for a laparoscopic approach.In this case, we performed laparoscopic fenestration of the pseudocyst with omentopexy.Clinical discussionUntil recently splenectomy was the surgical treatment of choice for all large or symptomatic cystic lesions of the spleen^2, however with growing knowledge about the protective role of the spleen an approach with spleen protection is advocated.ConclusionThere are many advantages to the laparoscopic approach of splenic cystic lesions and it may be the treatment of choice for this uncommon surgical problem.     

Partial splenic embolization: long-term outcome

BACKGROUND: Partial splenic embolization (PSE) was introduced in the 1980s. We studied the long-term follow-up results of a PSE-treated patient cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six severely ill patients (median age 63.5 years) were treated with a graded PSE a total of 52 times, mainly due to bleeding esophageal varices and thrombocytopenia. The aggregated follow-up time was 1715 months. RESULTS: The mean values of hemoglobin, leukocytes and thrombocytes increased significantly after PSE. The frequency of bleeding episodes from esophageal varices was significantly reduced. No effect was observed concerning blood liver parameters in cirrhotic patients. The integrated PSE effect was judged as improvement in 19 patients, status quo in 5, and deterioration in 2. Median survival time was 50.5 months (range 0.5-272 months). Two patients underwent liver transplantation. Complications consisted mainly of fever, atelectasis, and abdominal pain. Two patients died of PSE-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: A standardized and graded PSE is reasonably safe even in patients with advanced disease in whom it is hazardous to splenectomize. It gives a long-term effect on the hematological parameters, bleedings from esophageal varices and good palliation, and improved clinical status contributing to symptomatic control.     

脾部分切除术治疗闭合性脾破裂

目的 探讨外伤性脾破裂脾部分切除的治疗效果。方法 回顾性分析行部分性脾切除治疗的28例外伤性脾破裂患者的临床资料。结果 本组脾部分治疗失败进行脾切除1例，治疗成功率96．4％，无死亡病例。27例出院随访1－58个月，未发现并发症；其中15例随访22个月以上，血液学检查，免疫学功能测定等指标均在正常范围，^99mTC扫描和B型超声检查示保留脾显像良好。结论 脾部分切除对合适的脾破裂病例是安全，有效的治疗，且保留的脾具有正常的脾功能。     

脾部分切除术治疗非寄生虫性脾囊肿六例分析

脾囊肿临床少见,近年来随着B超体检的广泛应用,其发现率逐渐升高.脾囊肿的治疗方式多样.综合近年来文献,脾囊肿的手术治疗多倾向于微创、尽可能保留脾脏组织、保留脾脏功能.2006年5月至2008年5月北京朝阳医院行6例开腹脾脏部分切除术治疗脾脏非寄生虫性囊肿均收到较好的疗效.现回顾性分析报道如下.     

Partial splenectomy for symptomatic splenic hamartoma

Lower pole splenectomy with preservation of residual splenic function was successfully performed in a 3-year-old boy with a symptomatic splenic hamartoma. Following resection, several of the patient's constitutional symptoms resolved. This is the first reported case of a splenic hamartoma treated by partial splenectomy.     

脾部分切除术治疗非寄生虫性脾囊肿六例分析

脾囊肿临床少见,近年来随着B超体检的广泛应用,其发现率逐渐升高.脾囊肿的治疗方式多样.综合近年来文献,脾囊肿的手术治疗多倾向于微创、尽可能保留脾脏组织、保留脾脏功能.2006年5月至2008年5月北京朝阳医院行6例开腹脾脏部分切除术治疗脾脏非寄生虫性囊肿均收到较好的疗效.现回顾性分析报道如下.     

Partial splenectomy for nonparasitic splenic cysts

Four cases of partial splenectomy for large, nonparasitic splenic cysts are described. In all four patients it was possible to successfully preserve most of the splenic parenchyma. With the increasing realization of the importance of splenic function, the feasibility of this operative approach to splenic cysts is proposed.     

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: a simplified palliative operation

A simplified, palliative operation for hypoplastic left ventricular syndrome is proposed, its morphologic rationale is documented, and three cases are reported.     

脾部分切除治疗脾良性肿瘤(附16例报告)

目的:探讨脾部分切除术治疗脾良性肿瘤的疗效.方法:对16例脾良性肿瘤施行脾部分切除手术.其中6例采用脾部分切除加大网膜包裹残面术,10例采用脾部分切除加止血凝胶覆盖.对术后并发症进行统计.结果:16例中1例术后出现左膈下脓肿,1例脾部分坏死,余无并发症发生.平均住院时间12d.结论:脾部分切除术治疗脾良性肿瘤术后并发症少,住院时间短,是安全有效的手术.