Good results after laparoscopic marsupialisation of simple liver cysts

Large simple liver cysts often tend to be symptomatic with pain being the most common symptom.

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.

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.

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.

not relevant.

Study reported to Danish Data Protection Agency via Region of Southern Denmark (case no. 13/8542).