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. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.