Roux-en-Y partial volvulus in biliary-digestive reconstruction in children.

Various complications occur after a biliary-digestive reconstruction. Volvulus of a segment of the biliodigestive loop has not been described. Two patients who underwent biliodigestive bypass, years later, began with sudden and intense abdominal pain, associated with a volvulus with necrosis of a segment of this biliodigestive loop. This complication occurred many years after the initial correction, and manifested with sudden abdominal pain without impaired liver function, as occurred in these patients.

Diversas complicaciones pueden ocurrir después de una reconstrucción biliodigestiva. El vólvulo de un segmento del asa biliodigestiva no ha sido descrito. Dos pacientes operados de derivación biliodigestiva, años después iniciaron con dolor abdominal súbito e intenso, asociado a un vólvulo con necrosis de un segmento de la asa interpuesta. Se ha descrito el vólvulo de toda el asa interpuesta, pero no el de solo una pequeña porción de esta. La complicación ocurrió muchos años después de la corrección inicial y se manifiesto con dolor abdominal súbito sin deterioro de la función hepática, como sucedió en estos pacientes.

Intraoperative Endoscopy as an Adjuvant to Minimally Invasive Surgery in Pediatrics.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery has a different visual and tactile perception compared with conventional surgery, which could lead to complications, especially in complex procedures. In these cases, flexible endoscopy can facilitate and prevent complications in minimally invasive procedures in children. The study aimed to clarify the utility of intraoperative endoscopy as an adjuvant to minimally invasive surgery in children. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients who had undergone endoscopy during a minimally invasive surgery to treat an upper digestive pathology between January 2000 and December 2020. Results: The study included 83 patients who underwent a laparoscopic procedure with simultaneous endoscopy. The diagnosis was peptic stenosis in 9 patients, achalasia in 23, congenital embryonic tracheobronchial remnants in 4, re-fundoplication in 42, esophageal duplication in 2, superior mesenteric artery syndrome in 2, and giant gastric hemangioma in 1 patient. With adjuvant endoscopy, 7 digestive perforations were noted, 11 cases of short esophagus were diagnosed, and the permeability of the anastomosis was confirmed in 6 cases. No complications were related with the endoscopy procedures. Discussion: Minimally invasive surgery has a few special and tactile limitations that can lead to complications in certain procedures. Simultaneous digestive endoscopy in the upper gastrointestinal tract facilitates organ identification and dissection. Conclusion: Digestive endoscopy is an excellent adjunct to minimally invasive surgery in children because it facilitates and identifies complications and ensures safer minimally invasive surgeries. Future prospective studies are required to assess this conclusion.

Tratamiento laparoscópico de un quiste de colédoco gigante en un paciente pediátrico / Laparoscopic treatment of a giant choledochal cyst in a pediatric patient

Resumen Introducción: Se define como quiste de colédoco gigante aquel con un diámetro ≥ 10 cm. A pesar de que el abordaje laparoscópico ha sido contraindicado, se presenta el caso de un adolescente con un quiste de colédoco gigante resuelto por laparoscopía. Caso clínico: Paciente de sexo masculino de 14 años con un quiste de colédoco gigante tratado con anastomosis hepático-duodenal laparoscópica. Conclusiones: El tamaño promedio de los quistes de colédoco tratados por laparoscopía es de 40 mm. No se recomienda la resección de quistes gigantes por mínima invasión debido a adherencias y restricción del campo visual. En este caso se realizó un tratamiento laparoscópico de manera exitosa.

Abstract Background: The giant choledochal cyst has a diameter ≥ 10 cm. Although laparoscopy has been contraindicated, we present the case of a teenager with a giant choledochal cyst resolved by laparoscopy. Case report: A 14-year-old male patient with a giant choledochal cyst treated with hepatic-duodenum laparoscopic anastomosis. Conclusions: The average size of bile duct cysts treated by laparoscopy is 40 mm. Giant cysts should not be resected through minimal invasion due to adhesions and a restricted visual field. We report a case of a giant cyst successfully treated by laparoscopy.

Tratamiento laparoscópico de un quiste de colédoco gigante en un paciente pediátrico.

Introducción: Se define como quiste de colédoco gigante aquel con un diámetro ≥ 10 cm. A pesar de que el abordaje laparoscópico ha sido contraindicado, se presenta el caso de un adolescente con un quiste de colédoco gigante resuelto por laparoscopía. Caso clínico: Paciente de sexo masculino de 14 años con un quiste de colédoco gigante tratado con anastomosis hepático-duodenal laparoscópica. Conclusiones: El tamaño promedio de los quistes de colédoco tratados por laparoscopía es de 40 mm. No se recomienda la resección de quistes gigantes por mínima invasión debido a adherencias y restricción del campo visual. En este caso se realizó un tratamiento laparoscópico de manera exitosa.

Treatment of chronic pancreatitis by laparoscopic DuVal procedure: report of a pediatric case.

ANTECEDENTES: La pancreatitis es una enfermedad rara. La obstrucción es común y se puede corregir con endoscopia; si fracasa, necesitará cirugía. CASO CLÍNICO: Reportamos un paciente con pancreatitis secundaria a páncreas divisum. Se realizó derivación tipo DuVal laparoscópica. Varón de 12 años, con múltiples cuadros de pancreatitis y fallidos intentos de esfinteroplastias. La colangiorresonancia mostró páncreas divisum. Se realizó una derivación tipo DuVal por laparoscopia. Seguimiento de 5 años. No ha habido recurrencia del dolor y la lipasa se normalizó a los 6 meses. El conducto pancreático no estaba dilatado. Ante la dificultad para hacer una anastomosis lateral se utilizó la técnica laparoscópica propuesta por DuVal. BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is rare. Obstruction is common. They can be corrected with endoscopy, if they fail they need surgery. CASE REPORT: We reported a patient with pancreatitis secondary to pancreas divisum, laparoscopic DuVal shunt was performed. Male 12 years, multiple pancreatitis pictures and failed sphinteroplasty attempts. Colangio resonance showed pancreas divisum. A DuVal-type shunt was built for laparoscopy. Follow-up 5 years. There has been no recurrence of pain and lipase was normalized at 6 months. The pancreatic duct was not dilated, in the face of difficulty making a lateral anastomosis was used the technique proposed by DuVal by laparoscopic approach.

Femoral hernia in children: diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Case report.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las hernias femorales son raras en la infancia. El defecto está abajo del ligamento inguinal. La frecuencia de un diagnóstico erróneo es de hasta el 75%. Pueden ser resueltas mediante cirugía abierta o laparoscópica. OBJETIVO: Comunicar el caso de un niño con hernia femoral resuelto mediante laparoscopía. CASO CLÍNICO: Varón de 5 años, con antecedente de criptorquidia bilateral resuelta a los 2 años de edad. Padecimiento actual con 1 mes de evolución, con aumento de volumen en el tercio externo de la ingle. El ultrasonido reportó un defecto aponeurótico junto a los vasos femorales derechos. Abordaje laparoscópico, con hallazgos de defecto por abajo del ligamento inguinal. Sin recidiva a los 12 meses de seguimiento. DISCUSIÓN: Las hernias femorales son raras en los niños y su diagnóstico es difícil. La exploración laparoscópica permitió identificarla al encontrar un defecto por abajo del ligamento inguinal y junto a los vasos femorales independiente del anillo inguinal profundo y de la fascia transversal. INTRODUCTION: Femoral hernias are rare in children. The defect is below the inguinal ligament. The frequency of a misdiagnosis is up to 75%. They can be resolved by open or laparoscopic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a child with femoral hernia, resolved by laparoscopy. CASE REPORT: Male, 5 years old, with a history of bilateral cryptorchidism resolved at 2 years of age. Current condition with a month of evolution with an increase in volume in the outer third of the groin. Ultrasound reported aponeurotic defect along with the right femoral vessels. Laparoscopic approach, with defect findings below the inguinal ligament. No recurrence at 12 months follow-up. DISCUSSION: Femoral hernias are rare in children, their diagnosis is difficult. Laparoscopic examination allowed its identification, finding a defect below the inguinal ligament and adjacent to the femoral vessels independent of the deep inguinal ring and the transversalis fascia.

Laparoscopic Collis-Nissen approach for shortened esophagus treatment in children.

BACKGROUND: Short esophagus is a disability to obtain a proper portion of abdominal esophagus, thus a lengthening technique is required. Collis approach is the best option. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate effectiveness of laparoscopic Collis-Nissen approach in children. METHOD: Retrospective and descriptive case series performed in children with reflux and short esophagus, Collis esophagoplasty was carried out with stapler, together with fundoplication. Age, symptomatology, surgical background, oral nutrition beginning, hospital stay, complications and reflux control were recorded. RESULTS: Eight children, 4-15 years old were treated from 2005 to 2017. Three of them with slipped fundoplication background and two with esophageal atresia. The rest of the children had no background, two of them with stenosis. Symptoms; cough 8/8, abdominal pain 5/8, dysphagia 3/8. Without complications. Oral nutrition beginning at the 5th day. Up to 10 years follow-up, with complete remission of the symptomatology in 6 years. DISCUSSION: Since a true short esophagus diagnosis depends on transurgical findings, pediatric surgeons should notice this entity when practicing any antireflux procedure. Laparoscopic Collis-Nissen approach is safe and efficient in these patients.

ANTECEDENTES: El esófago corto es la imposibilidad de obtener una porción adecuada de esófago abdominal, por lo que se requiere alguna técnica de alargamiento. La mejor opción es el procedimiento de Collis. OBJETIVO: Demostrar la eficacia del procedimiento de Collis-Nissen por laparoscopía en niños. MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, serie de casos, niños con reflujo y esófago corto, esofagoplastía de Collis con engrapadora y funduplicatura. Se analizaron edad, sintomatología, antecedentes quirúrgicos, tiempo quirúrgico, inicio de vía oral, tiempo de hospitalización, complicaciones y control del reflujo. RESULTADOS: De 2005 a 2017 se trataron ocho niños de 4 a 15 años. De ellos, tres con antecedente de funduplicatura deslizada y dos con antecedente de atresia esofágica. El resto sin antecedentes, dos con estenosis. Síntomas; tos 8/8, dolor abdominal 5/8, disfagia 3/8. Sin complicaciones. Inició de vía oral al quinto día. Seguimiento de hasta 10 años, con remisión total de la sintomatología en seis casos. DISCUSIÓN: Debido a que el diagnóstico de esófago corto verdadero depende de los hallazgos transoperatorios, los cirujanos pediatras deben reconocer esta condición al momento de practicar cualquier procedimiento antirreflujo. El procedimiento de Collis-Nissen laparoscópico es una opción segura y eficaz en estos pacientes.

Laparoscopic Approach of the Obstruction of the Lower Third of the Esophagus in Children.

Objective: To review the diagnostic methodology in pediatric patients with obstruction of the lower third of the esophagus as well as minimally invasive therapeutic options. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study carried out reviewing records of children with esophageal obstruction diagnostic, from 2000 to 2018. They were divided into Group I stenosis secondary to reflux; Group II achalasia; and Group III embryonic remnants. Results: Thirty-three patients. Group I: 7; esophageal barium swallow irregular stenosis of the distal third and endoscopy irregular stenosis in 7. Treated with laparoscopic fundoplication 2, Collis Nissen 5. Group II: 22 patients, age X = 11.55 years. All with dysphagia and symmetrical stenosis of esophagogastric junction. Fifteen underwent manometry and all underwent intraoperative endoscopy. All had laparoscopic myotomy, with 2 perforations and no conversions, 2 patients had subsequent dysphagia to solids, and they did not need esophageal dilatation. Group III: 4 patients, stenosis was above esophagogastric junction. On endoscopy, inflammation was present in all 3 with irregular esophagogastric junction and difficulty passing endoscope. Three patients underwent laparoscopic resection and anastomosis. One patient leaked and developed a fistula. One patient has not been operated upon as yet. Conclusions: In those patients, the best surgical option depends upon the diagnosis. Esophageal barium studies and endoscopy allow discerning among them.

Thoracoscopic aortopexy to treat severe tracheomalacia in children. Cases report.

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in the treatment of the severe tracheomalacia by thoracoscopic approach, as well as its diagnostic methodology, surgical technique, post-operatory evolution and complications. CLINICAL CASES: From 2016 to 2017, three patients, 3, 9 and 12 months old, were treated. They showed multiple near sudden death events and had an absolute dependence to assisted ventilation. Pre-operatory bronchoscopy evinced tracheal severe malacia. Thoracic angiotomography discarded other extrinsic tracheal compression causes. A left thoracoscopic aortopexy was practiced with a bronchoscopical trans-operatory control; with improvement in tracheal space. Just one patient is still awaiting cannula removal, without symptomatology recurrence in a 3-20 months follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The thoracoscopic aortopexy is a safe and effective technique to treat primary and severe tracheomalacia in children.

OBJETIVO: Presentar nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento de la traqueomalacia grave por abordaje toracoscópico, la metodología diagnóstica, la técnica quirúrgica, la evolución postoperatoria y las complicaciones. CASOS CLÍNICOS: De 2016 a 2017 se trataron tres pacientes, dos de ellos con traqueomalacia grave y uno con traqueobronquiomalacia grave, de 3 a 12 meses de edad, con peso de 3 a 6 kg, múltiples eventos de casi muerte súbita y dependencia absoluta de ventilación asistida; en otro hospital practicaron traqueostomía, funduplicación y gastrostomía. La broncoscopia preoperatoria mostró malacia traqueal y bronquial grave, y la angiotomografía de tórax descartó otras causas de compresión. Se practicó aortopexia toracoscópica izquierda sin complicaciones, con control broncoscópico transoperatorio que mostró mejoría en la luz traqueal en los tres pacientes y sin recidiva de la sintomatología respiratoria en un seguimiento de 3 a 20 meses. CONCLUSIONES: La aortopexia toracoscópica es una técnica segura y efectiva para el tratamiento de la traqueomalacia primaria grave en los niños.

Acute gallbladder volvulus: laparoscopic treatment in an infant.

INTRODUCTION: Gallbladder volvulus is a rare and difficult to diagnose pediatric entity, its delayed treatment leads to complications. A 9 months old male case solved by laparoscopy is reported. CASE REPORT: Twelve hours of development with irritability, vomiting and fever. Painful abdomen, leukocytosis and ultrasound with perivesicular fluid. Computed tomography revealed cystic bending, increased density and reinforcement of contrast medium. Gallbladder was found volvulated and necrotized by laparoscopy. DISCUSSION: It is a very rare disease. A 9 months old baby was reported in whom a minimally invasive approach allowed diagnosis and safe treatment.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El vólvulo de la vesícula biliar es una entidad rara en pediatría, de diagnóstico difícil, y el retraso de su tratamiento produce complicaciones. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de nueve meses resuelto por laparoscopia. CASO CLÍNICO: 12 horas de evolución con irritabilidad, vómito, fiebre; abdomen doloroso; leucocitosis; y ultrasonido líquido perivesicular. La tomografía computarizada reveló acodamiento del cístico, aumento de la densidad y reforzamiento con el medio de contraste. La laparoscopia encontró vesícula volvulada y necrosada. DISCUSIÓN: Es una enfermedad poco frecuente. Éste es un niño de nueve meses. El abordaje por mínima invasión permitió establecer el diagnóstico y tratamiento con seguridad.

[Thoracoscopic lobectomy for the treatment of tracheal bronchus. A pediatric case report]. / Lobectomía toracoscópica para el tratamiento del bronquio traqueal. Reporte de un caso pediátrico.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal bronchus is considered a rare, congenital anomaly, which implies the abnormal origin of a bronchus. When related to repetitive infections the bronchus must be resected, usually via an open procedure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to present the case of a patient with tracheal bronchus of the upper right lobe who presented with repetitive pneumonias. Additionally, this text intends to expose the methodology for its diagnosis and surgical resolution through a thoracoscopic lobectomy. CLINICAL CASE: One year old female patient who presented with the disorder at two months of age. The patient presented with constant coughing and persistent fever alongside repetitive pneumonias in the upper right lobe. In order to discard the possibility of gastroesophageal reflux, a bronchoscopy and a panendoscopy of the digestive tube were conducted. The aforesaid procedure demonstrated the existence of a tracheal bronchus located in the right lobe, with functional bronchial segmentation. With these findings and due to the presence of repetitive infections, an apical right lobectomy was performed through a thoracoscopy, with favourable results. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheal bronchus is a rare anomaly that on many occasions is asymptomatic; nonetheless, when related to repetitive infections, a lobectomy must be carried out to avoid further pulmonary damage. This can be done through a thoracoscopy, as was the case with our patient. When treating these patients, it is worth considering they tend to have a different anatomy and to consider the ease at which they can sustain severe inflammation due to repetitive infections.

[Minimally invasive treatment for traumatic chylopericardium. Paediatric case report]. / Tratamiento por mínima invasión del quilopericardio traumático. Reporte de un caso pediátrico.

BACKGROUND: Chylopericardium is a rare occurrence in children. The most common causes are associated with cardiac surgery, malformations of the lymphatic system, idiopathic reasons, among others. OBJECTIVE: The case is presented of a patient with traumatic chylopericardium, the diagnostic methodology, and in particular, its successful resolution by surgical means. CLINICAL CASE: Male patient of 6 years old, previous accident of fall from patient's height. Chest x-ray showed evidence of cardiomegaly. An echocardiogram with pericardial effusion was performed. Pericardial puncture was performed with drainage of milky material, confirming chylous liquid. Treatment included pericardial catheterisation, total parenteral nutrition, octreotide, and diet with medium chain triglycerides, with persistent increased pericardial fluid. Lymphatic abnormalities were ruled out by MRI. He underwent surgical treatment due to failure of prior treatment. A thoracoscopic approach was adopted with a favourable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Chylopericardium occurs in children in most cases after cardiovascular surgery. The case presented here was classified as idiopathic. Patients with this condition may present with severe symptoms, such as tamponade, or can be asymptomatic as in the case presented. If medical treatment fails, it should be resolved by surgery; the best choice is minimally invasive treatment with its well-known advantages.

Selective transperitoneal aspiration of a distended bowel with a small-caliber needle during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Anecdotal reports have demonstrated the feasibility of needle aspiration to deflate a distended bowel, but we do not know of any prospective study that has evaluated this technique. We designed a controlled study to evaluate the use of the selective transperitoneal needle aspiration of a bowel loop (STAB) in infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Candidates were patients of less than 6 months of age, scheduled for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, in whom severe colonic distension was observed. We randomized the patients to the study drug or placebo in a 1:1 mode. The treatment group received STAB, whereas the control group was subject to conventional maneuvers. We performed 403 Nissen procedures laparoscopically: 102 were in infants ≤ 6 months old, but only 44 presented severe transverse colonic distension. RESULTS: STAB facilitated the surgical procedure and drastically reduced surgical time. Thus, we calculated our sample size with use of the following inputs: 90% power, a critical P value of .05, and 50% reduction in surgical time. This resulted in a necessary sample size of 21 subjects per group, for a total required sample size of 42 subjects. STAB procedures were done in 23 patients, and conventional measures were used in 21. STAB was attempted a total of 45 times. Mean operative time was shorter in the STAB group. CONCLUSIONS: We propose the use of STAB as alternative therapy to decompress a dilated large-bowel loop during laparoscopic surgery. This maneuver is simple and efficient and has no clinical complications. Future studies are required to evaluate its role in the subset of other patients or procedures.

Laparoscopic approach for inguinal hernia in children: resection without suture.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernia in children presents a higher frequency of relapse when suture technique procedures are used. Here, we present an alternative technique consisting of laparoscopic resection of the hernia sac without suture according to the physiopathology of pediatric inguinal hernia. METHODS: In prospective studies from June 2006 to January 2011, pediatric patients with a diagnosis of inguinal hernia were subjected to surgery as follows: resection of the hernia sac without suture was performed with a 3-port laparoscopic approach. Age, surgical time, recurrence, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: We analyzed 285 patients, who ranged from 1 month to 15 years old. They included 233 males, and 52 females. A percentage of 31.92 were bilateral (375 inguinal canals). The surgery time ranged from approximately 5 to 12 minutes. They were followed up 6 to 55 months, with an optimal evolution in 99.2%. Recurrence was observed in only 2 patients (0.53%), both of whom underwent incomplete resection. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrate that resection of the hernia sac without sutures allows for the treatment of inguinal hernia with a low recurrence rate.

[Laparoscopic resection of a gastric giant cavernous hemangioma in a child]. / Resección laparoscópica de un hemangioma cavernoso gástrico gigante a un niño.

BACKGROUND: Gastric hemangioma rarely appears during the pediatric age, with only thirteen cases in the medical literature. Its manifestations are digestive bleeding and intestinal obstruction. The bleeding can be severe and for such reasons it is usually necessary to apply surgical procedures. Up until now every case had been treated with resection and reconstruction through open surgery. We present the case of a patient treated successfully through a laparoscopic approach. CLINICAL CASE: 7 year old boy presenting hematemesis and hypovolemic shock, after stabilizing the patient a digestive endoscopy is performed revealing a hemangioma in the gastric fundus. Other injuries were discarded through a magnetic resonance angiography. Through a laparoscopic approach, with a postoperative endoscopic aiding procedure intending to discard affectation on the gastric esophageal junction, a resection with a harmonic scalpel on the lesion and a 2 plane gastric reconstruction was performed. The patient was discharged successfully on the fourth day after the surgery was performed with an 18 month clinical tracing and no further incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic approaches allow a safe gastric hemangioma resection and stomach reconstruction, with a relatively short recovery period and the well known benefits of minimal invasion procedures.

Treatment of splenic cyst by laparoscopic partial splenectomy: case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital splenic cysts are rare. They have a tendency to bleed, to become infected or to rupture and, for these reasons, must be treated. Treatment using splenectomy has the advantage of not presenting recurrence but carries the risk of immunological complications. Treatment through aspiration of the cyst or decapsulation preserves the spleen but with a high rate of recurrence. Optimal treatment is partial splenectomy. A portion of healthy splenic tissue is included that avoids recurrence and preserves the organ. We report the case of a child with a splenic cyst resolved by partial splenectomy done laparoscopically. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a 7-year-old female with abdominal pain and hemi-abdominal mass in the upper left abdomen. With the use of ultrasound and tomography, a splenic cyst was detected. With laparoscopy, a partial splenectomy was performed with harmonic scalpel at 0.5 cm from the outer cyst. The patient was released the next day without complications and was followed-up for 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic approach allows resection of splenic cysts with a margin of healthy tissue without risk of bleeding or recurrence. Patient recovery is rapid, avoiding the morbidity associated with large incisions.

Tratamiento del quiste esplénico mediante esplenectomía parcial laparoscópica: presentación de un caso / Treatment of splenic cyst by laparoscopic partial splenectomy: case report

Introducción: Los quistes esplénicos congénitos son raros. Son susceptibles a cursar con hemorragia, ruptura e infección, por lo que se deben resecar. El tratamiento mediante esplenectomía tiene la ventaja de no presentar recidiva pero conlleva el riesgo de complicaciones inmunológicas. El tratamiento mediante aspiración del quiste o decapsulación, aunque preserva el bazo tiene alta tasa de recidiva. La mejor opción es la esplenectomía parcial en la que se incluya una porción de tejido esplénico sano, lo que evita la recidiva y permite preservar el órgano. Caso clínico: Niña de siete años de edad con dolor abdominal y masa en hemiabdomen superior izquierdo. Por ultrasonido y tomografía axial computarizada se identificó quiste esplénico. Por laparoscopia, con bisturí armónico se efectuó esplenectomía parcial a 0.5 cm del margen del quiste. La paciente fue egresada al día siguiente sin complicaciones. Seguimiento con ultrasonido a un año, con preservación esplénica. Conclusiones: El abordaje laparoscópico permite la resección de los quistes esplénicos y extirpar la lesión con un margen de tejido sano sin riesgo de hemorragia y recidiva, con pronta recuperación del paciente, evitando la morbilidad asociada a las grandes incisiones.

BACKGROUND: Congenital splenic cysts are rare. They have a tendency to bleed, to become infected or to rupture and, for these reasons, must be treated. Treatment using splenectomy has the advantage of not presenting recurrence but carries the risk of immunological complications. Treatment through aspiration of the cyst or decapsulation preserves the spleen but with a high rate of recurrence. Optimal treatment is partial splenectomy. A portion of healthy splenic tissue is included that avoids recurrence and preserves the organ. We report the case of a child with a splenic cyst resolved by partial splenectomy done laparoscopically. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a 7-year-old female with abdominal pain and hemi-abdominal mass in the upper left abdomen. With the use of ultrasound and tomography, a splenic cyst was detected. With laparoscopy, a partial splenectomy was performed with harmonic scalpel at 0.5 cm from the outer cyst. The patient was released the next day without complications and was followed-up for 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic approach allows resection of splenic cysts with a margin of healthy tissue without risk of bleeding or recurrence. Patient recovery is rapid, avoiding the morbidity associated with large incisions.