Assisted laparoscopic excision of huge abdominal cysts in newborns and infants using the umbilical laparoscopic port incision.

PURPOSE

The objective of this article was to present our experience in successfully managing a variety of abdominal cysts in newborns and infants using a mini-invasive technique performed in 8 cases using an umbilical laparoscopic port incision.

METHODS

Assisted laparoscopic excision using an umbilical port incision was performed in 8 cases. Six were neonates (5 ovarian cysts and one hepatic cyst) and 2 were infants (6-months old with intestinal duplication and 11-months old with lymphatic malformation).

RESULTS

The procedure was performed with ease and was successful in all 8 cases. Oral feeding was started early after the surgical intervention. Seven patients were discharged the next day. The last case was discharged on the fifth day after surgery because of intestinal resection.

CONCLUSION

This proposed mini-invasive technique using the umbilical port incision proved to be less invasive, easier, and less technically demanding than the classic laparoscopic approach and, hence, may be applied to different abdominal cystic pathologies in newborns and infants.