Managing Hepatic Cysts in the Setting of Surgery for Cholecystitis

Hepatic cysts are relatively common and often present with non-specific symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain. While most are benign simple cysts, the differential diagnosis includes infectious, inflammatory, and malignant etiologies. Imaging, including ultrasound and cross-sectional modalities, is key to diagnosis. Hepatic cysts can occasionally present with symptoms that overlap with gallbladder disease, complicating the clinical picture. We present the case of a patient with chronic cholecystitis who was found to have an incidental hepatic cyst obstructing the gallbladder. Given its size and obstructive nature, concurrent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and cyst fenestration with excision were performed. The procedure was completed safely, and the patient had an uneventful recovery. Histopathology confirmed a benign simple cyst. This case highlights the importance of recognizing hepatic cysts preoperatively and managing them intraoperatively to ensure safe surgical outcomes.