Laparoscopic spleen-preserving dome resection for a giant primary epithelial splenic cyst

Non-parasitic splenic cysts are rare and are seldom diagnosed outside the paediatric surgical practice. Giant true primary epithelial cysts greater than 14 cm in diameter are even rarer. Laparoscopic surgery is preferable; however, bleeding, splenectomy and recurrence are recognised risks. Here, we report a young female patient with a 21 cm symptomatic primary splenic cyst. The patient underwent a spleen-preserving laparoscopy and was followed up for 2 years when she had an MRI of the abdomen. Surgical, technical and perioperative treatment aspects are discussed here, in the context of the current literature.