BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating surgical success in patients with benign liver cysts focus on cyst recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment with regard to clinical complaints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2007, 99 patients (M:F 1:7.25) with symptomatic, benign, nonparasitic liver cysts (77 simple liver cysts [SLCs], 22 polycystic liver disease [PCLD]) underwent surgical treatment (77% laparoscopic surgery, 23% open surgery). Perioperative parameters (including morbidity) were evaluated. Moreover, a questionnaire was completed by 65 patients monitoring subjective complaints focusing on abdominal pain, vegetative symptoms, and dyspnea pre- and postoperatively (mean follow-up 76 months). RESULTS: Severe complications occurred in 7 patients. Abdominal pain, vegetative symptoms, and dyspnea were significantly improved in SLC patients. In PCLD patients abdominal pain and dyspnea were significantly decreased, whereas vegetative symptoms were unaffected by surgery. The symptom recurrence rate for SLC patients was significantly lower compared with PCLD patients (41% vs 66.6%). CONCLUSION: Indications for surgical treatment of PCLD should be well considered and limited to a selected group of patients.
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