Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Application of Laparoscopic Partial Splenectomy with Total Blood Flow Occlusion in Benign Splenic Lesions
Published on: December 20, 2024
Long-term outcome after surgical treatment of nonparasitic splenic cysts
J Mertens1, F Penninckx, I DeWever
1Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Background:
The optimal treatment for patients with nonparasitic splenic cysts is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate 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.
