title: Laparoscopic treatment of biliary hepatic cysts: short- and medium-term results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative morbidity and, in the medium-term results, the incidence of relapses in the laparoscopic treatment of non-parasitic hepatic cysts (NPHC) and polycystic liver disease (PCLD).
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1999 to 2003, 12 patients with NPHC and 3 patients with PCLD with few large cysts in the anterior hepatic segments underwent laparoscopic fenestration and deroofing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no conversions and no mortality; the mean operative time was 55 min for NPHC and 120 min for PCLD. Postoperative morbidity comprised two patients with bronchopneumonic infiltrations and in one patient with PCLD ascites resolved spontaneously. All the patients experienced resolution of the symptomatology. Follow-up was carried out from 3 to 38 months (mean 18 months). There was no relapse of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preoperative selection of patients is fundamental to program the surgical treatment. Laparoscopy can be considered a safe and efficacious treatment for NPHC and PCLD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of General Surgery, Polyclinic of Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. v.neri@unifg.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ambrosi
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fersini
authors.forename: Tiziano Pio
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Valentino