Technical report of a novel surgical technique: laparoscopic cyst fenestration and falciform ligament pedicle graft for treatment of symptomatic simple hepatic cysts

A new technique for the laparoscopic treatment of simple hepatic cysts

Background

Simple hepatic cysts are commonly detected in the general population, both solitary and associated with Adult Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). Laparoscopic fenestration is a surgical option adopted as first-line treatment and to treat complications. The techniques reported in the literature are associated with cyst recurrence in up to 41% of cases.

Methods

From 2012 to May 2021, 19 symptomatic patients diagnosed with simple HCs underwent an innovative technique for laparoscopic fenestration, which includes simultaneous ethanol injection into the residual cavity. The median follow up was 57 (range 4-116) months. We retrospectively analysed symptomatic relief obtained in the short and long term as primary outcome. We also evaluated the postoperative outcome, recurrence and re-intervention rates.

Results

11 patients (of 19) were female (58 %), with a median age of 58 (range 31-78) years. Most patients (17 of 19) experienced relief of symptoms after intervention (89,5 %). Radiological recurrence occurred in 21% of patients; nevertheless, only one patient, affected by ADPKD, experienced clinical relapse with abdominal discomfort. No patient needed reintervention. There was no major morbidity (Clavien-Dindo III-IV) nor 90-day mortality. The technique allowed early removal of abdominal drainage (median 2.5 days).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic fenestration of a simple hepatic cyst, with simultaneous ethanol injection, combines the advantages of the laparoscopic approach with those of injecting sclerosing agent. The described technique is associated with symptomatic relief and a favourable outcome in the postoperative period, as well as with good long term results.

Applications of hepatic round ligament/falciform ligament flap and graft in abdominal surgery-a review of their utility and efficacy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Despite their ubiquitous presence, easy availability and diverse possibilities, falciform ligament and hepatic round ligament have been used less frequently than their potential dictates. This article aims to comprehensively review the applications of hepatic round ligament/falciform ligament flap and graft in abdominal surgery and assess their utility and efficacy.

METHODS

Medical literature/indexing databases were searched, using internet search engines, for pertinent articles and analysed.

RESULTS

The studied flap and graft have found utility predominantly in the management of diaphragmatic hernias, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, peptic perforations, biliary reconstruction, venous reconstruction, post-operative pancreatic fistula, post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage, hepatic cyst cavity obliteration, liver bleed, sternal dehiscence, splenectomy, reinforcement of aortic stump, feeding access, diagnostic/therapeutic access into portal system, composite tissue allo-transplant and ventriculo-peritoneal shunting where they have exhibited the desired efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic round ligament/falciform ligament flap and graft are versatile and have multifarious applications in abdominal surgery with some novel and unique uses in hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery including liver transplantation. Their evident efficacy needs wider adoption to realise their true potential.

Systematic review on percutaneous aspiration and sclerotherapy versus surgery in symptomatic simple hepatic cysts

BACKGROUND

Simple hepatic cysts (SHC) may cause pain and bloating and thus impair quality of life. Whereas current guidelines recommend laparoscopic cyst deroofing, percutaneous aspiration and sclerotherapy (PAS) may be used as a less invasive alternative. This review aimed to assess the efficacy of PAS and surgical management in patients with symptomatic SHC.

METHODS

A systematic search in PubMed and Embase was performed according to PRISMA-guidelines. Studies reporting symptoms were included. Methodological quality was assessed by the MINORS-tool. Primary outcomes were symptom relief, symptomatic recurrence and quality of life, for which a meta-analysis of proportions was performed.

RESULTS

In total, 736 patients from 34 studies were included of whom 265 (36%) underwent PAS, 348 (47%) laparoscopic cyst deroofing, and 123 (17%) open surgical management. During weighted mean follow-up of 26.1, 38.2 and 21.3 months, symptoms persisted in 3.5%, 2.1%, 4.2%, for PAS, laparoscopic and open surgical management, respectively. Major complication rates were 0.8%, 1.7%, and 2.4% and cyst recurrence rates were 0.0%, 5.6%, and 7.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Outcomes of PAS for symptomatic SHC appear to be excellent. Studies including a step-up approach which reserves laparoscopic cyst deroofing for symptomatic recurrence after one or two PAS procedures are needed.

A stepwise approach for effective management of chronic pain in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease

Chronic pain, defined as pain existing for >4-6 weeks, affects >60% of patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic disease (ADPKD). It can have various causes, indirectly or directly related to the increase in kidney and liver volume in these patients. Chronic pain in ADPKD patients is often severe, impacting physical activity and social relationships, and frequently difficult to manage. This review provides an overview of pathophysiological mechanisms that can lead to pain and discusses the sensory innervation of the kidneys and the upper abdominal organs, including the liver. In addition, the results of a systematic literature search of ADPKD-specific treatment options are presented. Based on pathophysiological knowledge and evidence derived from the literature an argumentative stepwise approach for effective management of chronic pain in ADPKD is proposed.

Clinical symptoms and sonographic follow-up after surgical treatment of nonparasitic liver cysts

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment of nonparasitic liver cysts is still a topic of debate. Only symptomatic cysts are being considered as requiring treatment. Aim of this study is to evaluate our experience with this disease over the past ten years with a structured follow-up program.

METHODS

From January 2000 to August 2010, 56 consecutive patients with nonparasitic liver cysts were treated at our institution. We assessed morbidity, recurrence and complication rates, quality of life as well as pre- and post-operative sonographic status of the cysts and course of clinical symptoms.

RESULTS

In 84% of the patients surgery was started as a laparoscopic procedure. Conversion rate was 6.4%. Average diameter of deroofed cysts was 12 cm. Overall complication rate was 16% and overall recurrence rate 28.3% (8.7% recurrences at the surgical site, 19.6% new or enlarged cysts). One half of the patients were symptom-free after surgery and the other half had at least one persisting symptom post-operatively. In one half of these patients with persisting symptoms, symptoms were ameliorated by surgery. In the other half of patients the number of symptoms increased after surgery. Two thirds of the overall patients reported their post-operative health as being good or very good.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical deroofing is the most effective treatment option for symptomatic liver cysts. Half of our patient population retained at least one symptom from a group of more than ten abdominal symptoms.Only the minority of these cases may be attributed to true recurrence, de-novo cysts or growing pre-existing cysts. The analysis of our cases suggests that the persistent symptoms in our patients may in part be due to the fact that the association between clinical complaints and the liver cysts was not sufficiently established. A more rigid patient selection should be implemented in order to achieve better results from the treatment of cysts. Because even large cysts are frequently asymptomatic, patient selection should not primarily be based on the cyst size only. The decision should be based strictly on the correlation between cyst / cyst location and symptoms / clinical complaints. In our opinion, further diagnostic procedures may be necessary in individual cases to clarify such a correlation.

Prevalence of simple liver cysts and hemangiomas in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients submitted to magnetic resonance imaging

Objective To determine the prevalence of liver cysts and hemangiomas in the general population and in cirrhotic patients. Materials and Methods Retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study selecting consecutive magnetic resonance imaging studies performed in the period from February to July 2011. A total of 303 patients (187 women and 116 men) with mean age of 53.3 years were included in the present study. Patients with previously known liver lesions were excluded. The images were consensually analyzed by two observers in the search for simple liver cysts and typical liver hemangiomas, according to universally accepted imaging criteria. Lesions prevalence, diameters and location were determined in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic individuals. Results The authors observed prevalence of 8.6% for hemangiomas and 14.5% for simple cysts. No statistically significant difference was observed in relation to prevalence of hemangiomas and cysts among cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients (p = 0.954; p = 0.472). Conclusion In the present study, the prevalence of cysts and hemangiomas was higher than the prevalence reported by autopsy series. No influence of cirrhosis was observed on the prevalence and appearance of such incidental lesions.