eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: Surgery > General Surgery

Mesenteric and Omental Cysts: Follow-up

Author: Amulya K Saxena, MD, Attending Pediatric Surgeon, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 16, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

Overall results in pediatric patients are favorable. The recurrence rate ranges from 0-13.6%,9,11,14,15,17 averaging about 6.1% in a series of 162 adults and children.5 Most recurrences occur in patients with retroperitoneal cysts or those who had only a partial excision.5,14,15,17 Essentially, no mortality is associated with mesenteric or omental cysts in children; only one pediatric death has been reported since 1950.27 In a series from Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta, no major postoperative complications, recurrences, or deaths occurred.8

Future and Controversies

With the widespread use of prenatal ultrasonography, mesenteric and omental cysts are being diagnosed in utero.22 No role for treating these cysts in utero is recognized. If cysts are discovered prenatally, intervention during early infancy is indicated to prevent potential complications such as obstruction and intestinal volvulus.

 


More on Mesenteric and Omental Cysts

Overview: Mesenteric and Omental Cysts
Workup: Mesenteric and Omental Cysts
Treatment: Mesenteric and Omental Cysts
Follow-up: Mesenteric and Omental Cysts
Multimedia: Mesenteric and Omental Cysts
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

mesenteric cysts, omental cysts, cyst, abdominal cyst, intra-abdominal cyst, abdominal mass, chylous mesenteric cyst, cystic hygromas, abdominal distention, ascites, intestinal volvulus, dilated bowel, intestinal atresia, dilated stomach, pyloric atresia, gastrointestinal duplications, hydronephrosis, ovarian cyst, cystic teratoma, inguinal hernia, intestinal duplication cyst

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Amulya K Saxena, MD, Attending Pediatric Surgeon, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Austria
Amulya K Saxena, MD is a member of the following medical societies: European Pediatric Surgeons Association, German Society of Pediatric Surgery, German Society of Surgery, and International Pediatric Endosurgery Group
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Kurt D Newman, MD, Vice Chairman, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's National Medical Center; Professor, Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine
Kurt D Newman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, and Society of Surgical Oncology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from broker recommendation; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from broker recommendation

Managing Editor

Deborah F Billmire, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Indiana University Medical Center
Deborah F Billmire, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of Critical Care Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

H Biemann Othersen Jr, MD, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, Emeritus Head, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina
H Biemann Othersen Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, American Burn Association, American Cancer Society, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Pediatric Surgical Association, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, American Surgical Association, American Thoracic Society, British Association of Paediatric Surgeons, Pediatric Oncology Group, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Society of Critical Care Medicine, South Carolina Medical Association, Southeastern Surgical Congress, Southern Medical Association, Southern Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Thoracic Surgical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harsh Grewal, MD, FACS, FAAP, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, Temple University School of Medicine; Chief, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Temple University Children's Medical Center
Harsh Grewal, MD, FACS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Association for Surgical Education, Children's Oncology Group, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and Southwestern Surgical Congress
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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