Clinical and surgical profile and follow up of patients with liver hydatid cyst from an endemic region.

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study is to present the changes in the treatment of liver hydatid cyst during the last 20 years in our clinic according to literature data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical, laboratory and operational findings and pre- and postoperative complications of 650 from 700 patients with liver hydatid cysts, examined and treated at Selcuk University Meram Medicine Faculty, General Surgery Department, between 1985-2005, were evaluated in two groups: 1st period (1985-1995) and 2nd period (1995-2005). RESULTS: 436 of the cases were females (67.1%) and 214 (32.9%) males. The mean age of the females was 35 years (ranges 10-73) and of the males 46 years (ranges 12-76). Surgical treatment comprised radical and obliterative conservative techniques in the first period, while non-obliterative conservative techniques and percutaneous puncture and aspiration of the cyst, injection of scolex eliminating substance and reaspiration (PAIR) were preferred in the second period. During the follow-up (498 cases were followed for a mean period of 32 [12-72] months), recurrence occurred in 12 in the first period and in 9 in the second period, a total of 21 patients (4.21%). CONCLUSION: We consider that regardless of the surgical treatment used in liver hydatid cyst cases, combination with chemotherapy is the safest and most effective approach.