title: Management of giant liver cysts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver cysts are often asymptomatic. Symptomatic liver cysts are uncommon and can be managed by percutaneous aspiration, laparoscopic/open marsupialization, or resection. Our aim is to review our experience with management of giant liver cysts (GLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  An IRB approved chart review of patients with liver cysts between 1995-2009 was performed. There were 34 GLC in 24 patients, 20 (83%) were females (mean age of 59.2 y). Pain was the main symptom in 20 patients. The average cyst size was 15.66 cm (6-32 cm) with 14 cysts over 15 cm in size. Two patients with GLC (11 and 15 cm) decided not to have surgery; 16 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery with one recurrence. One patient with laparoscopic marsupialization at another center was managed by open marsupialization and repair of the bile leak. Four of the patients underwent open marsupialization and one underwent open resection. Four patients with prior percutaneous aspiration had recurrences (100%), three underwent laparoscopic and one open marsupialization. An 8-wk pregnant patient underwent percutaneous aspiration of a 32 cm cyst to alleviate symptoms until delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean hospital stay for laparoscopic marsupialization was 5.57 d compared with 9.2 d for open procedure. Three (18.7%) postoperative complications (bile leak, recurrence, bleeding) occurred in the laparoscopic group, and one (20%) bile leak in the open group, with a mean follow-up of 41 mo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic marsupialization of GLC is as effective and safe as open procedures in preventing cyst recurrence regardless of cyst size and location, and affords a relatively shorter hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health and Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Mathew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mazoch
authors.forename: Hany
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dabbous
authors.forename: Hosein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shokouh-Amiri
authors.forename: Gazi B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Zibari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003560:Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult