Marsupialization

Marsupialization is the surgical technique of cutting a slit into a cyst and suturing the edges of the slit to form a continuous surface from the exterior to the interior of the cyst. Sutured in this fashion, the cyst remains open and can drain freely. This technique is used to treat a cyst when a single draining would not be effective and complete removal of the surrounding structure would not be desirable.

The technique is often applied to pancreatic cysts, pilonidal cysts, and Bartholin's cysts.^[1] In the case of a dentigerous cyst, marsupialization may be performed to allow the growing tooth associated with the cyst to continue eruption into the oral cavity.^[2]

When, due to an error of diagnosis, the technique is applied to a dermoid cyst (teratoma) or other tumor, the risk of subsequent tumor recurrence and cancer is much increased.

References

1. ^ Omole F, Simmons BJ, Hacker Y (2003). "Management of Bartholin's duct cyst and gland abscess.". American Family Physician 68 (1): 135–40. PMID 12887119. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030701/135.html. 
2. ^ Hupp, James R.; Ellis, Edward; Tucker, Myron R. (2008). Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. pp. 455–57. ISBN 0815166990. 

External Links

1.Bartholin's Gland Cyst Marsupialization

2.Marsupialization in the Medical Dictionary