Surgical Treatment of Hydatid Cysts by Freezing of Cyst Wall and Instillation of 0.5 per Cent Silver Nitrate Solution

Abstract

Because of the great fragility of the outer laminated membrane of a hydatid cyst, conventional methods of evacuating these cysts usually result in their uncontrolled rupture. An apparatus has been designed that creates a rigid frozen ring on the surface of the cyst or the organ containing it. Through the isolated central portion the cyst contents can be evacuated without risk of rupture. The device has been used successfully in the treatment of 53 large hydatid cysts. As an adjunctive solution for sterilizations of any residual larvae in the emptied exocyst space, 0.5 per cent silver nitrate solution is suggested. The efficacy of this agent against the parasites was demonstrated in the laboratory, and it was used in the surgical treatment of 28 intact hydatid cysts.