Management of residual cavity after partial cystectomy for hepatic hydatidosis: comparison of omentoplasty with external drainage.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of two approaches to the operative treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

University and teaching hospital, Turkey.

SUBJECTS: 108 patients with single uncomplicated hydatid cysts who were operated on in two clinics between 1990 and 1995.

INTERVENTION: Introflexion and omentoplasty or external drainage after partial cystectomy in single uncomplicated hydatid cysts more than 5 cm in size.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

The median hospital stay after introflexion and omentoplasty was 8 days (range 3-15), which was significantly shorter than that after external drainage (12 days, range 7-20). There were 2/35 postoperative complications in the former group compared with 17/73 in the drainage group (p = 0.03). There was one death after introflexion and omentoplasty.

CONCLUSION

Introflexion and omentoplasty after partial cystectomy for a single uncomplicated hydatid cyst caused significantly fewer complications than external drainage, and patients left hospital sooner.