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. 2021 Jan;25(1):77-84.
doi: 10.1007/s11605-020-04821-1. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

Contemporary Management of Hepatic Cyst Disease: Techniques and Outcomes at a Tertiary Hepatobiliary Center

Axel Gomez  1 , Andrew D Wisneski  1 , Hubert Y Luu  1 , Kenzo Hirose  1 , John P Roberts  1 , Ryutaro Hirose  1 , Christopher E Freise  1 , Eric K Nakakura  1 , Carlos U Corvera  2
Affiliations

Contemporary Management of Hepatic Cyst Disease: Techniques and Outcomes at a Tertiary Hepatobiliary Center

Axel Gomez et al. J Gastrointest Surg. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Hepatic cyst disease is often asymptomatic, but treatment is warranted if patients experience symptoms. We describe our management approach to these patients and review the technical nuances of the laparoscopic approach.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed for operative management of hepatic cysts from 2012 to 2019 at a single, tertiary academic medical center.

Results: Fifty-three patients (39 female) met the inclusion criteria with median age at presentation of 65 years. Fifty cases (94.3%) were performed laparoscopically. Fourteen patients carried diagnosis of polycystic liver disease. Dominant cyst diameter was median 129 mm and located within the right lobe (30), left lobe (17), caudate (2), or was bilobar (4). Pre-operative concern for biliary cystadenoma/cystadenocarcinoma existed for 7 patients. Operative techniques included fenestration (40), fenestration with decapitation (7), decapitation alone (3), and excision (2). Partial hepatectomy was performed in conjunction with fenestration/decapitation for 15 cases: right sided (7), left sided (7), and central (1). One formal left hepatectomy was performed in a polycystic liver disease patient. Final pathology yielded simple cyst (52) and one biliary cystadenoma. Post-operative complications included bile leak (2), perihepatic fluid collection (1), pleural effusion (1), and ascites (1). At median 7.1-month follow-up, complete resolution of symptoms occurred for 34/49 patients (69.4%) who had symptoms preoperatively. Reintervention for cyst recurrence occurred for 5 cases (9.4%).

Conclusions: Outcomes for hepatic cyst disease are described with predominantly laparoscopic approach, approach with minimal morbidity, and excellent clinical results.

Keywords: Clinical outcomes; Fenestration; Laparoscopy; Liver cysts; Minimally invasive.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Coronal magnetic resonance image of a 19-cm cyst in a 70-year-old man with features concerning for mucinous cystadenoma. b Anterior surface of the liver during open approach. c Transection line for partial segment IVa and IVb hepatectomy. d The cyst removed intact, which resulted with benign pathology
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Supplementary concepts