title: Long-term results of laparoscopic fenestration for patients with congenital liver cysts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The feasibility and immediate outcome of laparoscopic fenestration for patients with congenital liver cysts have been generally recognized. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term results after laparoscopic fenestration.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed on 44 patients with congenital liver cysts who had undergone laparoscopic fenestration between June 1998 and December 2004. Among them, 30 were women and 14 men, aged 57 years on average (range 18-76 years). While 14 patients had solitary cysts, 20 had multiple cysts, and 10 had polycystic liver disease. The results of laparoscopic fenestration, including mortality, morbidity, mean postoperative hospital stay, and recurrences of cysts were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no perioperative death and the morbidity rate was 11% (5/44). All complications were treated conservatively. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. A mean follow-up of 57 months showed that the rates of cyst recurrence and symptom recurrence were 9% and 4.5%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic fenestration as a feasible and safe treatment procedure for patients with congenital liver cysts can yield very good long-term results.
authors: Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
authors: Xue-Li
authors: XL
authors: Bai
authors: Ting-Bo
authors: TB
authors: Liang
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Yu
authors: Wei-Lin
authors: WL
authors: Wang
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Shen
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Zhang
authors: Shu-Sen
authors: SS
authors: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003560:Cysts / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies