BACKGROUND:The feasibility and immediate outcome of laparoscopic fenestration for patients with congenital liver cysts have been generally recognized. The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term results after laparoscopic fenestration. METHODS:A retrospective study was performed on 44 patients with congenital liver cysts who had undergone laparoscopic fenestration between June 1998 and December 2004. Among them, 30 were women and 14 men, aged 57 years on average (range 18-76 years). While 14 patients had solitary cysts, 20 had multiple cysts, and 10 had polycystic liver disease. The results of laparoscopic fenestration, including mortality, morbidity, mean postoperative hospital stay, and recurrences of cysts were evaluated. RESULTS:There was no perioperative death and the morbidity rate was 11% (5/44). All complications were treated conservatively. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. A mean follow-up of 57 months showed that the rates of cyst recurrence and symptom recurrence were 9% and 4.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION:Laparoscopic fenestration as a feasible and safe treatment procedure for patients with congenital liver cysts can yield very good long-term results.