Long-term outcome after surgical treatment of nonparasitic splenic cysts

Background The optimal treatment for patients with nonparasitic splenic cysts is controversial. This study aimed to evalulate the clinical outcome of patients treated for a symptomatic splenic cyst, and to define a surgical strategy. Methods Spleen-preserving surgery (9 laparotomies and 6 laparoscopies) was performed for a primary cyst in six patients and a secondary cyst in nine patients. The median follow-up time was 37.5 months. Partial splenic resection was performed for eight patients and cyst decapsulation for seven patients. Results Cyst recurrence was observed in four patients after decapsulation of a primary splenic cyst, as compared with none after resection. Postoperative complications were encountered only after laparotomy (5/9). The median hospital stay was 3.5 days (range, 2–5 days) after laparoscopy, as compared with 9 days (range, 5–14 days) after laparotomy. Conclusions Symptomatic splenic cysts should be treated laparoscopically. For patients with recurrent or suspected primary splenic cysts, laparoscopic partial splenectomy is preferable. For other cases, a laparoscopic decapsulation is advocated.