BACKGROUND/AIMS: The use of the laparoscopic procedure for managing symptomatic nonparasitic liver cysts has been documented to be feasible and safe in the short term; however, the long-term outcomes of the procedure have not been well demonstrated. This study was initiated to review the long-term outcomes of this procedure. METHODOLOGY: Preoperatively, diagnosis was established by ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) scan, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or magnetic resonance cholangiographic photograph. The long-term outcomes in 8 patients with symptomatic nonparasitic simple liver cysts treated by laparoscopic deroofing are presented. All patients were followed up, and morphologic evaluation was performed with repeated abdominal US and CT. RESULTS: All operations could be finished laparoscopically without converting to open laparotomy. Intra- and postoperative complications were not detected. The mean follow-up duration in all cases was 122.5 months (range: 79-149 months). Two patients exhibited morphologic recurrence within 6 months after surgery and required a second treatment. CONCLUSIONS: From the observation of long-term follow-up, we concluded that laparoscopic deroofing is a useful method for treating symptomatic nonparasitic liver cysts.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The use of the laparoscopic procedure for managing symptomatic nonparasitic liver cysts has been documented to be feasible and safe in the short term; however, the long-term outcomes of the procedure have not been well demonstrated. This study was initiated to review the long-term outcomes of this procedure. METHODOLOGY: Preoperatively, diagnosis was established by ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) scan, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or magnetic resonance cholangiographic photograph. The long-term outcomes in 8 patients with symptomatic nonparasitic simple liver cysts treated by laparoscopic deroofing are presented. All patients were followed up, and morphologic evaluation was performed with repeated abdominal US and CT. RESULTS: All operations could be finished laparoscopically without converting to open laparotomy. Intra- and postoperative complications were not detected. The mean follow-up duration in all cases was 122.5 months (range: 79-149 months). Two patients exhibited morphologic recurrence within 6 months after surgery and required a second treatment. CONCLUSIONS: From the observation of long-term follow-up, we concluded that laparoscopic deroofing is a useful method for treating symptomatic nonparasitic liver cysts.