Mesenteric Cyst: Analysis Of 17 Cases

Mesenteric cysts are rare intra-abdominal tumors. The goal of this study is to analyze the clinical symptoms and the pathological features of mesenteric cysts and the surgical approaches. The data of 17 patients who had surgeries because of mesenteric cysts between 2005 and 2012 at our clinic were evaluated retrospectively. Eleven (65%) of our patients were female, while six (35%) were male and the median age was 32 (17-70). The most frequently seen clinical presenting complaint of our patients was abdominal pain and abdominal mass. The mesenteric cysts were most frequently located in the small intestine mesentery (70.5%). The cyst sizes varied between 2 and 25 cm. The most frequently performed surgical procedure was enucleation (76%). While surgical site infection was seen in two patients, anastomosis leak was seen in one and this patient had loop ileostomy. The mean period of hospitalization was 8 (2-17) days. No mortality cases were seen in the post-op period. Mesenteric cysts are rare intra-abdominal masses. They can be seen in different localizations within the abdominal cavity. Patients are generally diagnosed by radiological methods. The rate of recurrence is low following total excision and it has a good prognosis. Although laparoscopic resection is a preferred method, physicians should secure total resection in malign cases and the cyst should not be perforated.