Laparoscopic deroofing in large hepatic cyst with alcohol sclerotherapy. Analysis of three cases

Hepatic cysts have become increasingly frequent findings thanks to the improvement in diagnostic investigations. Distinction has to be made between congenital hepatic cysts (like liver cyst, PLCD) and acquired forms (such as a parasitic cyst and a cyst occurring as part of a neoplastic process) (1). When a simple hepatic cyst becomes symptomatic, when its size is > 4 cm or when there is some radiological suspicion of malignancy (thick wall, peripheral enhancement on CT/MRI) surgical management is indicated and relies on a variety of techniques (2). Presently the two most common techniques are percutaneous aspiration with sclerotherapy and laparoscopic fenestration. The use of laparoscopic approach has achieved, in the last years, some great results, for it shortens hospital stay, involves minimal invasiveness and offers low recurrence rate. We report three cases of symptomatic hepatic cysts successfully treated by using laparoscopic procedure. KEY WORDS: Laparoscopic deroofing, Sclerotherapy, Simple hepatic cysts.