Laparoscopic deroofing of simple liver cysts: do ancillary techniques, surgical devices, and indocyanine green improve outcomes?

Background: Giant liver cysts causing compression symptoms require surgical therapy. Laparoscopy is nowadays considered the first-line approach and has been shown to be non-inferior to open surgery. Ancillary techniques and novel technologies may have the potential to reduce complications rates and improve long-term outcomes. Methods: The management of a female patient with a giant and symptomatic liver cyst is reported, as is a literature search in PubMed and Scopus spanning the past two decades, with the aim of assessing current evidence regarding procedural details of laparoscopic deroofing. Results: Wide laparoscopic deroofing of a 21-cm liver cyst arising from segment 6 was safely performed under indocyanine green fluorescence imaging using a combination of ultrasonic energy excision and stapling. A contemporary literature review showed that only 22 of the 35 publications included details of the surgical procedure. Ancillary techniques such as omentopexy, argon plasma coagulation, monopolar radiofrequency device ablation, and ethanol sclerotherapy were rarely used (10.8% of patients). Use of energy devices and/or linear staplers was reported in 22 (62.8%) studies. Indocyanine green fluorescence was reported in 4 (11.4%) studies. Conclusion: The case report and the literature review show that wide laparoscopic deroofing of giant liver cysts is an effective and relatively simple procedure. Use of emerging technology such as indocyanine green fluorescence imaging can further enhance precision surgery and minimize complications and long-term recurrence rates.