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Canadian Journal of Surgery logoLink to Canadian Journal of Surgery
. 2000 Aug;43(4):303–305.

Needlescopic decapsulation of a splenic epithelial cyst

Pieter A Seshadri 1, Eric C Poulin 1,, Joseph Mamazza 1, Christopher M Schlachta 1
PMCID: PMC3695221  PMID: 10948693

Abstract

As technology advances, the techniques of laparoscopic surgery are being refined and their aplication is expanding to include many disease processes and organs. The new-generation laparoscopic instruments are becoming smaller (less than 5 mm). Expected advantages include improvements in cosmesis and patient satisfaction, and decreased postoperative analgesic requirements. Non-neoplastic cysts of the spleen are rare, and their management has evolved from total open splenectomy to laparoscopic cyst decapsulation. A 22-year-old woman with a symptomatic 10-cm epithelial cyst was treated by splenic decapsulation with needlescopic instruments (3 mm or smaller). Three trocars were used: one 12-mm umbilical and two 3-mm subcostal ports. The cyst was punctured by a Veress needle, and after drainage of straw-coloured fluid, circumferential decapsulation with 5-mm laparoscopic shears through the umbilical port site was done. The patient was discharged within 24 hours, having had a single intramuscular injection of meperidine and an excellent cosmetic result.

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Articles from Canadian Journal of Surgery are provided here courtesy of Canadian Medical Association

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