PURPOSE: Hepatic hydatid cysts (HHCs) are a parasitic infestation caused by several species of Echinococcus. We examined the clinical features of HHCs and evaluated the results of various surgical procedures. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-nine patients aged between 17 and 84 years underwent surgery for HHCs within a 12-year period. We recorded the demographic data, location of the cysts, surgical procedures used, morbidity, recurrences, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Most (90.5%) of the patients presented with symptoms, but 16 (9.5%) patients reported no symptoms. The most common symptom was abdominal pain. The overall number of cysts was 216 HHCs and 9 concomitant hydatid cysts in other abdominal organs. The surgical treatments consisted of hepatic resection in 8 (4.7%) patients, cystostomy with drainage in 43 (25.5%), cystostomy with capitonnage in 22 (13%), cystostomy with omentoplasty in 72 (42.6%), and cystectomy in 24 (14.2%). Splenectomy or nephrectomy was also performed in nine patients. Postoperative complications developed in 36 (21.3%) patients, and three suffered recurrences. The postoperative mortality rate was 1.2%. Postoperative complications were more frequent after cystostomy with capitonnage than after cystostomy with omentoplasty (P < 0.001) or cystectomy (P = 0.0037). The additional procedures prolonged the hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Current surgical techniques combined with antiscolicidal therapy using albendazole are effective and safe treatments for HHCs, associated with low morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates.
PURPOSE: Hepatic hydatid cysts (HHCs) are a parasitic infestation caused by several species of Echinococcus. We examined the clinical features of HHCs and evaluated the results of various surgical procedures. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-nine patients aged between 17 and 84 years underwent surgery for HHCs within a 12-year period. We recorded the demographic data, location of the cysts, surgical procedures used, morbidity, recurrences, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Most (90.5%) of the patients presented with symptoms, but 16 (9.5%) patients reported no symptoms. The most common symptom was abdominal pain. The overall number of cysts was 216 HHCs and 9 concomitant hydatid cysts in other abdominal organs. The surgical treatments consisted of hepatic resection in 8 (4.7%) patients, cystostomy with drainage in 43 (25.5%), cystostomy with capitonnage in 22 (13%), cystostomy with omentoplasty in 72 (42.6%), and cystectomy in 24 (14.2%). Splenectomy or nephrectomy was also performed in nine patients. Postoperative complications developed in 36 (21.3%) patients, and three suffered recurrences. The postoperative mortality rate was 1.2%. Postoperative complications were more frequent after cystostomy with capitonnage than after cystostomy with omentoplasty (P < 0.001) or cystectomy (P = 0.0037). The additional procedures prolonged the hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Current surgical techniques combined with antiscolicidal therapy using albendazole are effective and safe treatments for HHCs, associated with low morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates.
Authors: A N Rodriguez; A L Sánchez del Río; L V Alguacil; J F De Dios Vega; G M Fugarolas Journal: Gastrointest Endosc Date: 1998-12 Impact factor: 9.427