Transverse hepatectomy for symptomatic polycystic liver disease

Polycystic liver disease can result in massive enlargement of the liver wit h resultant debilitating symptoms of abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, and s everely compromised functional status. Fenestration of hepatic cysts has be en advocated as a treatment for polycystic disease. However, in patients wi th predominant small cyst replacement, fenestration alone often results in limited hepatic volume reduction without improvement in patient functional status. Liver transplantation has also been previously advocated for polycy stic liver disease with predominant small cyst replacement, but, with the s evere shortage of donor organs, alternative treatment should be considered, in this report we present a case of massive enlargement of the liver with severe clinical debilitation due to polycystic liver disease. Transverse he patectomy provided a safe and effective alternative to fenestration or live r transplantation.