Partial excision and drainage of post-traumatic splenic cysts.

In areas of the world where malaria is endemic it is now advisable to conserve the spleen whenever possible following trauma. Post-traumatic cysts of the spleen may therefore be more commonly encountered. The experience in the four cases presented here shows that such cysts can be successfully managed without splenectomy. Evacuation of the cyst contents at laparotomy, followed by excision of the capsular component of the cyst and external drainage, gives good results.