Finger assisted laparoscopic renal cyst excision: a simple technique.

PURPOSE Simple renal cysts are asymptomatic incidental findings; however, for a small subset of benign renal cysts, patients may present with pain, hematuria, recurrent infection, pyelocaliceal obstruction, or hypertension. Laparoscopic cyst ablation is an effective minimally invasive modality for the treatment of symptomatic benign renal cysts. We describe a simple laparoscopic cyst excision technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between June 2003 and May 2008, 28 patients underwent laparoscopic renal cyst excision via retroperitoneal approach. In our technique, retroperitoneum and Gerota's fascia were dissected with finger blindly before insertion of the trocars to the retroperitoneal space. Following finger dissection, 3 trocars were placed and the cyst walls were excised at the level of renal cyst and base of the cysts were cauterized with electrocautery scissors. RESULTS Mean patients' age was 59.3 years (range, 31 to 72 years). Mean operation duration time was 46 minutes (range, 27 to 102 minutes). Symptomatic and radiological success were achieved in 26 (92.8%) and 27 (96.4%) patients, respectively, with a median follow-up of 28 months (range, 6 to 56 months). No serious complications were encountered. CONCLUSION Laparoscopy is a versatile minimally invasive modality ideal for treating benign symptomatic renal cysts. According to our experience, we think that the finger assisted laparoscopic cyst excision is an easy and noninvasive procedure.