Evacuation of hydatid liver cysts using laparoscopic trocar.

Several methods of reducing the likelihood of spilling live scolices during surgical removal of hydatid liver disease have been described. The aim was to determine the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic trocar insertion for evacuation of hydatid liver cysts. This technique was used for 30 cysts in 19 patients who had surgery for hydatid liver disease. After establishing protection of the operative area, a laparoscopic trocar was inserted into the cyst at the most prominent point and the cyst was aspirated with large-bore suction and filled with a scolicidal agent. The technique was not attempted in two small cysts (<6 cm) located near the major blood vessels or in a single intraparenchymal cyst. Insertion of the trocar was successful in all remaining cysts, and there were no complications during the insertion or the evacuation. Successful evacuation (excellent and good outcomes) in unilocular, multilocular, and degenerated cysts were 100%, 84%, and 57%, respectively (p = 0.144), with a total success rate of 82%. Although successful evacuation was achieved in both anterior (92%) and posterior-superior located cysts (73%) (p = 0.203), excellent outcomes were higher for the anterior cysts (73%) than for the posterior-superior cysts (13%) (p = 0.005). Successful evacuation outcomes for the large (> 10 cm), middle-sized (6 to 10 cm), and small cysts (<6 cm) were 100%, 79%, and 67%, respectively (p = 0.591). The patients have been followed for a mean of 11 months (range 3 to 24 months), and no recurrence has been recorded. Insertion and evacuation of the hydatid liver cysts with a laparoscopic trocar is a safe and effective procedure, and its limitations are minimal.