[Hepatopulmonary hydatidosis treatment through minimally invasive surgery in our hospital: report of 4 cases].

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review is to present our experience in minimally invasive surgical procedures as treatment of hepatic and pulmonary hydatidosis in the last five years.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients with pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts treated in our hospital between 2008-2012 with minimally invasive surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 4 cases, all of them Moroccan origin, the mean age was 6.7 years. Only one patient with hepatic cyst and three with hepatopulmonary cysts. All of them were treated with albendazole before surgery. Laparoscopy and/or thoracoscopy was performed and, in one case a transdiaphragmatic approach was used, as a way to reach a posterior hepatic injury unapproachable by laparoscopy. The technique used was the sterilization of the contents of the cyst with hypertonic saline solution, cyst opening and cystic membrane removal. We didn't do capitonage or pericystectomy. The resolution rate of residual cavities of the cysts was 100% and there was no recurrence or intraoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In children surgical treatment can be performed using endoscopic techniques with the same safety and efficacy as open surgery. Treatment with albendazole before surgery is helpful in preventing recurrences and as unique treatment in small lesions. Surgery must be as sparing as possible avoiding unnecessary liver or lung resections. Treatment of the residual cavity seems unnecessary. The thoracoscopic transdiaphragmatic approach should be considered as an alternative treatment, for those liver lesions in posterior segments, which are intractable with laparoscopy.