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Laparoscopic management of cystic disease of the liver
W J Hodgson1, G K Kuczabski, R Malhotra
1Brooklyn Hospital Center, NY 11201, USA.
Background:
Laparoscopic management of cystic disease of the liver, including severe polycystic disease, is evolving.
Methods:
Wide unroofing, or "fenestration," as is required for a successful result in open cases, leads to complete resolution of the cysts. This can even occur in chronic cysts, with wide-enough unroofing, given time.
Results:
In polycystic disease, adequate fenestration of superficial, cysts allows deeper cysts to prolapse and be similarly fenestrated, thus reducing pressure effects on the liver and restoring normal function.
Conclusion:
However, because of the distortion of anatomy by this disease, it is important that an experienced liver surgeon perform such a complex procedure, as operative complications could be severe.