Treatment of cystic hygroma

To determine ideal treatment, 58 patients with cystic hygroma of the neck were studied. Approximately equal distribution of the lesion among sexes and sides of the neck was noted, but frequency was less than expected among blacks. Complete excision, the treatment of choice, gave an 81% cure rate. Partial excision was curative in only 12% of cases, but it decreased the tumor mass enough to eliminate the need for further treatment in 62% of cases. Aspiration of the cysts may be of value in diagnosis and management of acute respiratory problems but not for definitive therapy. Sclerosing agents and radiation therapy was not effective treatment of cystic hygromas. Of the clinical recurrences, 76% occurred within a year after therapy.