Abstract
The natural history of 120 popliteal cysts in children has been reviewed. Of seventy untreated cysts fifty-one disappeared spontaneously during a mean period of one year and eight months. Of fifty cysts submitted to operation, twenty-one recurred in a mean period of seven months. Three children with recurrences had more than one further operation. Most popliteal cysts in children disappear spontaneously, and operation without very good reason is unjustified.