Treatment of renal cysts
The treatment of renal cysts is indicated when they cause the enlargement of renal cavities, stones, inflammation, or bleeding.
How Is the Surgery Performed?
Renal cysts can be treated by puncturing the cyst or by removing it laparoscopically.
Puncture of the cyst. After application of a local anesthetic and a disinfectant to the skin, the physician inserts a thin needle into the cavity of the cyst under ultrasound guidance. The fluid accumulated in the cyst is drained through the needle. Sometimes, when the cavity of the cyst is large, a thin drainage tube (stent) can be left for a few days to drain the fluid out of the cyst. In order to reduce the possibility for the fluid to reaccumulate in the cyst, alcohol or other sclerosing agent can be instilled into the cavity of the renal cyst.
Laparoscopic surgery to remove the cyst.The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. During it, the kidney is separated from the surrounding tissues; the cyst is identified, and the wall of the cyst is cut out. The wall of the cyst is subjected to histological examination.
What Should Be Known After Surgery?
- If the cyst has a large cavity, there is a possibility that the fluid will re-accumulate. In such a case, the aspiration of the cyst can be done repeatedly or the cyst can be removed by a laparoscopic or a laparotomic approach;
- If there is no bleeding after the laparoscopic procedure, the stent is usually removed on the first postoperative day.