Efficiency of obliteration procedures in the surgical treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver.

BACKGROUND

Hydatid cyst of the liver (HCL) is a parasitic infestation caused by several species of Echinococcus and is endemic in many sheep-raising areas. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the value of clinical, physical and laboratory findings and to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic options in 250 patients with HCL.

METHODS

Between January 1980 and December 1989, 148 patients with HCL were treated surgically, and surgical procedures performed were evaluated retrospectively. On the basis of these findings, a prospective study of 102 patients was initiated between January 1990 and December 1999.

RESULTS

External drainage was performed in retrospective and prospective groups, respectively, in 110 and five patients, obliteration procedures in 31 and 82 and resectional procedures in seven and 15. While mean hospitalization time morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates were 16.2 +/- 6.9 days, 37.8%, 2.0% and 6.7% in the retrospective group, these rates were decreased to 7.8 +/- 3.5 days, 10.7%, 0.9% and 1.9%, respectively, in the prospective group. Overall morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates and median hospitalization time were 49.5%, 2.6%, 9.5% and 18.0 +/- 7.4 days in external drainage group, 7.0%, 0% 0.8% and 8.5 +/- 4.5 in obliteration procedures and 9.0%, 4.5%, 0% and 7.3 +/- 1.9 resectional procedures, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

External drainage should be performed only in infected HCL. Resection procedures are too radical and extensive for benign lesions. Obliteration procedures are simple and safe methods for the treatment of HCL, and they have low morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates.