Our experience in the use of partial cystectomy for symptomatic nonparasitic liver cysts in children is presented. Twelve
children with 13 liver cysts were operated upon in 11 years. Abdominal ultrasound and computerized axial tomography were the main preoperative investigations. Partial cystectomy leaving the deep part of the cyst with a deliberately planned pedicled omentoplasty for packing the cyst cavity were done in all patients. The median age of the patients was 8 years. The cysts occurred in the right lobe in 7 patients (58%), in the left lobe in 3 patients (25%), whereas in one patient one cyst occurred in each lobe and in another patient a large (18cm diameter) cyst occurred in both lobes. The median diameter of the cysts was 9cm. No recurrence occurred in the follow-up periods (3-6 years).The procedure proved safe and effective in the management of non-parasitic liver cysts in children though known to have a short omentum .The latter could be lengthened to reach and pack the cyst cavity in all patients of the present work. It is recommended as a definitive procedure rather than recourse to more major operations as liver resection.