Surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid cysts: report of 139 cases.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation that is endemic in many sheep- and cattle-raising areas and is still an important health problem in the world. The aim of our study was to present our surgical experience and strategy in the management of pulmonary hydatid disease. One hundred thirty-nine patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts underwent surgical treatment in our clinic between January 1990 and April 2002. A total of 169 cysts were present in 139 patients. Fifteen patients had concomitant hydatid cysts in liver and lung. Our series consisted of 76 male and 63 female patients, and mean age was 28.6 +/- 17 years (range, 5-65 years). Only pulmonary hydatid cysts were seen in 123 patients (88.5%), whereas there were 15 patients (10.8%) with combined pulmonary and hepatic disease. Hydatid cyst was found in a patient both in lung and spleen (0.7%). Lateral thoracotomy was performed in 115 patients (82.73%), bilateral thoracotomy in 9 patients (6.48%), thoracophrenotomy in 11 patients (7.91%), and median sternotomy and phrenotomy in 4 patients (2.88%). Resection techniques were used only in 10 patients. The most common complication was atelectasis (5.0%). The mortality rate was 1.8% (3 patients). Surgery is the treatment of choice for most patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts. Thoracaphrenotomy can be chosen as the surgical procedure in management of hepatic and pulmonary hydatid cysts.