title: Long-term follow-up after retroperitoneal laparoscopic decortication of symptomatic renal cysts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to present our long-term experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic decortication (RLD) for patients with severely symptomatic simple renal cysts. The feasibility, safety and efficacy of this technique is reported, along with immediate and long-term clinical outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 6-year period, 22 consecutive patients with symptomatic simple renal cysts underwent RLD by a single surgeon. Demographic data, perioperative blood loss, length of operative procedure, length of hospital stay and complications were analyzed. Follow-up included clinical review and renal ultrasonography, at 6-monthly intervals for 1 year, and then annually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean patient age was 45 (range 31-63) years. RLD was successfully performed in all 22 patients - no open conversions were required. There was no mortality and there were no perioperative complications. Mean duration of surgery was 101.9 min (59-117 min) and operative blood loss was <150 ml in all cases (10-150 ml). Mean length of hospital stay was 3.2 (2-6) days and return to normal activities was achieved after a mean of 15 (10-30) days. At a mean follow-up of 60 (22-93) months, 17 patients (77%) were completely relieved of symptoms, while 5 (23%) patients complained of some pain not requiring any analgesia. Renal ultrasonography showed an absence of radiological recurrence of the symptomatic renal cyst in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RLD is a safe and effective method to treat symptomatic renal cysts, with an immediate postoperative symptomatic relief, a short convalescence period and effective 5-year clinical and radiological outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urological Surgery, Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thwaini
authors.forename: Iqbal S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Shergill
authors.forename: Manit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arya
authors.forename: Zahran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Budair
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome