Methods: Medical records of 16 patients ( 7 males, 9 females; mean age 39.9±17.5 years; range 11 to 69 years) operated for cystic hygroma in our clinic between January 2011 and December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Data including age and gender of the patients, anatomic localization of the lesion, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and mortality and morbidity rates were recorded.

Results: The most common symptoms were soft tissue swelling, pain, and cough. The most common anatomical localization was cervical region (n=8, 50%), followed by axillary region (n=3, 18.8%), mediastinal region (n=3, 18.8%), and thoracic wall (n=2, 12.5%). Five patients experienced minor complications.

Conclusion: Although common in childhood, cystic hygroma may also affect adults and occur in various anatomic localizations. Cystic hygroma should be considered in case of soft fluctuating masses or asymptomatic cervicomediastinal lesions. Surgery is the primary management approach, and when a cyst is not totally excised, there is a high risk of recurrence.