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]

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.

[edit] 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.  free full text