Surgical treatment of nonparasitic cysts of the liver: open versus laparoscopic treatment.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare the immediately postoperative and follow-up results of open and laparoscopic surgery of hepatic cysts in a tertiary hepatobiliary referral center.


METHODS
From March 1999 to February 2007, 59 patients underwent surgical treatment for nonparasitic liver cysts. Patients were assigned to the laparoscopic (n = 42) or open group (n = 17) for analysis.


RESULTS
Three conversions to open procedures had to be performed in the laparoscopic group. One patient had to be reoperated because of a bile leakage in the laparoscopic group. Follow-up examination showed 2 recurrences in the laparoscopic and 3 in the open group. Three out of 17 patients in the open group had to be operated for incisional hernias. Time to previous activities was significantly shorter after laparoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic treatment of symptomatic nonparasitic liver cysts is superior concerning short- and long-term results in a vast majority of cases.
Treckmann
Jürgen W
JW
Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. j.treckmann@gmx.net
Paul
Andreas
A
Sgourakis
George
G
Heuer
Matthias
M
Wandelt
Melanie
M
Sotiropoulos
Georgios C
GC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome