[Aspects of the surgical treatment in plurivisceral echinococcosis--case report].

Hydatid disease remains endemic in many parts of the world, most notably the Mediterranean region, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and South America. Plurivisceral echinococcosis is defined as the concomitant or successive presence of hydatidosis in more than one internal organ. It has been noticed that the number of cases with multi-organ localizations and multiple cysts has increased in the last years. As the surgery of plurivisceral echinococcosis remains one of the challenges for the medical world, in this article we present our experience during 2000-2007 with this disease, followed by a case report of one of the most special cases of echinococcosis, discussing the principles of treatment, along with a new classification of this disease. Plurivisceral echinococcosis is associated with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality than uncomplicated cysts, related to organ involvement and surgical treatment. In the sequential approach we recommend resolving first surgically the complicated cysts or those at risk. In the thoracic and abdominal locations, the thoracic cysts will be approached first. The treatment methods will be as conservative as possible. Management of pulmonary and hepatic cysts (diaphragmatic side) simultaneously through the thoracic route is convenient and should be encouraged in patients because this prevents a second operation.