Comparison of aspiration-sclerotherapy versus laparoscopic decortication in management of symptomatic simple renal cysts

PURPOSE: To perform a retrospective study to compare the efficiency, safety and costs using aspiration-sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol vs. laparoscopic decortications in management of symptomatic simple renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with simple renal cysts (diamante > 4 cm) were recruited from our hospital between October 2008 and October 2012. A total of 986 patients (Group 1) underwent aspiration-sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol and 208 patients (Group 2) underwent laparoscopic decortication. All patients were followed up with ultrasonography or computerized tomography (CT) for one year. Regression rates, recurrence rates and costs were compared. RESULTS: Similarity in symptoms (back pain, cloudy urine or mass in abdomen), renal cyst size, and cyst distribution, complete regression rate after treatment between the two groups; A higher recurrence rate, but shorter procedure times and lower cost in Group 1 compared to Group 2. The procedures used for both groups were safe and had minimum complications. CONCLUSION: Aspiration-sclerotherapy, as well as laparoscopic decortication are effective and safe therapy for symptomatic simple renal cysts. Aspiration-sclerotherapy is more suitable for medium size of renal cysts, while Laparoscopic decortication is superior to the cysts in large sizes.