[Hydatid cysts of the spleen: splenectomy or conservative surgery?]

Conservative surgery of the spleen has become very popular. The authors report 36 cases of splenic hydatid cysts. This third site of hydatid disease is frequently associated with few symptoms and clinical examination only reveals splenomegaly, which has typical features on ultrasonography. Twenty-four splenectomies were performed with a mortality of 8.3% and a morbidity of 37.5%, while 12 resections of the roof of the cyst were performed with no mortality and a morbidity of 16.6% after a follow-up of 2 to 13 years. The authors consider that resection of the roof of the cyst constitutes of operation of choice, as it is conservative and safe, regardless of the anatomical conditions.