Laparoscopic fenestration and drainage for hepatic cysts in the right posterior lobe: A report of 35 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate laparoscopic treatment of hepatic cysts in the right posterior lobe.Methods A four-port laparoscopic fenestration and drainage was performed in 35 patients with symptomatic hepatic cysts in the right posterior lobe(the lesion was located at the segment Ⅳ in 21 patients and at the segment Ⅶ in 14 patients) from January 1998 to December 2005.For cysts located at the superior segment of the right posterior lobe,the operation was performed through the suprahepatic approach. The liver was pressed along the anterior and inferior direction by using a pair of traction tongs for the exposure of hepatic cysts.Then the cyst was fenestrated and filled with pedicled greater omentum.For cysts located at the inferior segment of the right posterior lobe,the operation was conducted through the infrahepatic approach.The hepatocolic ligament,right triangular ligament,and connective tissues between the liver and the kidney were opened by using a harmonic scalpel.The liver was lifted with the traction tongs,and the cyst was fenestrated and filled with greater omentum.Results Laparoscopic fenestration and drainage was accomplished in all the 35 patients,without conversions to open surgery.The suprahepatic approach was adopted in 15 patients and the infrahepatic approach,in 20 patients.The operation time was 30～95 min(mean,46 min).No surgery related complications occurred.Pathological examinations in the 35 patients showed congenital cysts of liver.After operation,patients' symptoms all disappeared.The postoperative hospitalization time was 2～5 days (mean,3.8 days).All the 35 patients were followed for 6～36 months(mean,34 months).The cyst did not completely disappeared but significantly subsided in 2 patients(suprahepatic approach),without remarkable symptoms.The cysts were not obviously enlarged within 6 months.Conclusions Laparoscopic fenestration and drainage via suprahepatic or infrahepatic approach is an effective treatment for hepatic cysts in the right posterior lobe.