Good results after laparoscopic marsupialisation of simple liver cysts.

INTRODUCTION Large simple liver cysts often tend to be symptomatic with pain being the most common symptom. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a retrospective study of patients who had intended laparoscopic surgery for liver cysts between December 2007 and December 2012 at a single institution. RESULTS A total of 31 patients (27 women, four men) had surgery. The median age was 61 years (range 27-81 years). The diagnosis was based on the findings at computed tomography (CT) in 15 patients (49%), at ultrasonography in 11 (35%), at both CT and ultrasound in four (13%) and at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in one (3%). Indication for surgery was upper abdominal pain (n = 27) and abdominal discomfort (n = 4). The laparoscopic approach was successful in 29 patients (94%). The two conversions to open surgery were necessary due to peritoneal adherences. The median post-operative hospital stay was one day (range 1-14 days). Histological evaluation revealed 29 non-neoplastic cysts (94%) and two cyst adenomas (6%). Two patients had minor post-operative complications, but none needed re-operation. There was no 30-day mortality. The median follow-up time was 28 months (range 1-60 months). At follow-up, 26 patients (84%) were symptom-free. Of the five patients with re-occurrence of symptoms, three had a re-operation. The remaining two refrained from new surgery. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic marsupialisation of simple liver cysts has a high success rate in terms of pain relief, and it is a safe procedure with a short post-operative hospital stay. FUNDING not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION Study reported to Danish Data Protection Agency via Region of Southern Denmark (case no. 13/8542).