Acute Intraperitoneal Rupture of Hydatid Cysts

Background Rupture into the abdominal cavity is a rare but serious complication of hydatid disease. The cysts may be ruptured after a trauma, or spontaneously as a result of increased intracystic pressure. Rupture of the hydatid cyst requires emergency surgical intervention. Methods Seventeen patients received surgical treatment for intraperitoneal rupture of the cysts over a period of 18 years. Age, gender, time to surgery from the onset of the symptoms, laboratory findings, diagnostic procedures, surgical treatment modalities, in-hospital stay, morbidity, mortality and recurrence were evaluated retrospectively. Results Five cases (29.4%) had a history of blunt abdominal trauma. Ultrasonography scans revealed intra-abdominal fluid in all cases. Intraperitoneal multiple cysts with heterogeneous cavity or cystic structures in the liver were shown in 14 cases. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple cystic lesions in the liver and peritoneum with intra-abdominal free fluid. Procedures to fill the cystic cavities were applied after removal of the intraperitoneal fluid. Four patients (23.5%) died in the early postoperative period. A total of nine morbidities developed in six patients (35.3%). Median hospital stay was 18 days and median follow-up was 78 months. Intra-abdominal recurrence occurred in one case (7.7%). Conclusions Rupture of hydatid cysts into the peritoneal cavity, although rare, presents a challenge for surgeons. This pathology should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in endemic areas. Computed tomography scan, in addition to clinical presentation, is essential for diagnosis. Emergency surgery is the main treatment for acute ruptured hydatid cysts. The morbidity and mortality rates of surgical interventions for ruptured hydatid cysts are higher than the rates for elective uncomplicated cases.     

Single-stage transthoracic approach for right lung and liver hydatid disease

OBJECTIVE: Human echinococcosis remains a serious health problem for the Mediterranean countries. Synchronous pulmonary and hepatic hydatid disease may occur in 4% to 25% of cases. Our experience on simultaneous surgical treatment of right lung and liver hydatid disease in patients was reviewed. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2000, 48 patients (33 female patients and 15 male patients) with synchronous right lung and liver dome hydatid cysts were operated with a 1-stage procedure. RESULTS: Six patients had previous surgical treatment of hepatic (n = 2) or pulmonary (n = 4) hydatid cyst. The pulmonary cysts were diagnosed with radiography in 18 patients and thoracic computed tomography scan in 30. The pulmonary cysts of 9 patients were bilateral. Seventy-five pulmonary cysts were seen in radiological examinations. The diagnosis of hepatic cysts was established with ultrasonography in 18 patients and upper abdominal computed tomography in 30. The total number of hepatic cysts was 48. In cases with pulmonary cysts, cystotomy and capitonnage were performed in 32 patients, only cystotomy was done in 14 patients, and wedge resection was performed in 2. Liver cysts were approached to transdiaphragmatically after the lung cysts had been dealt with and were managed with evacuation of the cysts. In the remaining cases, marsupialization (n = 2), pericystectomy (n = 1), and enucleation (n = 1) were performed. Major postoperative complications were hemorrhage (n = 1) and biliocutaneous fistula (n = 1). Hepatic recurrence was seen in 3 patients (6.2%) and pulmonary recurrence in 1 (2.1%). CONCLUSION: Transthoracic approach is a useful and a safe surgical management of both pulmonary and upper surface of hepatic hydatid cysts.     

Hydatid cysts of the liver opening in the biliary tract. Report of 64 cases

STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to report a series of patients with hydatid cyst opened in the biliary tract, who were operated in Morocco. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1991 to 1998, among 250 hydatid cysts of the liver operated in the same center, 64 were in communication with the biliary tract (25%). There were 39 men and 25 women. The mean age was 34.2 years (range: 6-60). The revealing symptoms were abdominal pain, jaundice or cholangitis, but the biliary fistula was asymptomatic in more than 50% of the patients. The hydatid cysts were recognized by ultrasonography in all the patients but the biliary fistula was only suspected in 17 patients. The surgical procedure included drainage and sterilization of the cyst, resection of the protruding wall of the cyst (84.4%), unblockage of the main hepatic duct (n = 21) associated with a Kehr drainage, and treatment of the bilio-cystic fistula with suture (n = 23) or double side drainage (n = 24) or cystobiliary disconnection (n = 15). RESULTS: There were two postoperative deaths due to septic shock (n = 1) and encephalopathy secondary to a biliary cirrhosis (n = 1). The morbidity rate was 25%. Among complications, there were four subphrenic abscesses, four prolonged biliary leakages and two intestinal obstructions. The main hospital stay was 20 days. CONCLUSION: The opening of hyatid cysts of the liver into the biliary tract may be silent or revealed by biliary symptoms. The results of this series favour a conservative procedure, including resection of the protruding wall of the cyst and cysto-biliary disconnection, in spite of a high morbidity rate and a long hospital stay.     

Laparoscopic management of benign solid and cystic lesions of the liver

OBJECTIVE: The authors present their experience in the laparoscopic management of benign liver disease. The aim of the study is to analyze technical feasibility and evaluate immediate and long-term outcome. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Indications for the laparoscopic management of varied abdominal conditions have evolved. Although the minimally invasive treatment of liver cysts has been reported, the laparoscopic approach to other liver lesions remains undefined. METHODS: Between September 1990 and October 1997, 43 patients underwent laparoscopic liver surgery. There were two groups of benign lesions: cysts (n = 31) and solid tumors (n = 12). Indications were solitary giant liver cysts (n = 16), polycystic liver disease (n = 9), hydatid cyst (n = 6), focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 3), and adenoma (n = 9). Only solid tumors, hydatid cysts, and patients with polycystic disease and large dominant cysts located in anterior liver segments were included. All giant solitary liver cysts were considered for laparoscopy. Patients with cholangitis, cirrhosis, and significant cardiac disease were excluded. Data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: The procedures were completed laparoscopically in 40 patients. Median size was 4 cm for solid nodules and 14 cm for solitary liver cysts. Conversion occurred in three patients (7%), for bleeding (n = 2) and impingement of a solid tumor on the inferior vena cava (n = 1). The median operative time was 179 minutes. All solitary liver cysts were fenestrated in less than 1 hour. There were no deaths. Complications occurred in 6 cases (14.1%). Two hemorrhagic and two infectious complications were noted after management of hydatid cysts. There were no complications after resection of solid tumors. Three patients received transfusions (7%). The median length of stay was 4.7 days. Median follow-up was 30 months. There was no recurrence of solitary liver or hydatid cysts. One patient with polycystic disease had symptomatic recurrent cysts at 6 months requiring laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver surgery can be accomplished safely in selected patients with small benign solid tumors located in the anterior liver segments and giant solitary cysts. The laparoscopic management of polycystic liver disease should be reserved for patients with a limited number of large, anteriorly located cysts. Hydatid disease is best treated through an open approach.     

Surgical treatment of human echinococcosis

Hydatid disease may affect several organs in the human body and thus represents a major challenge for the general surgeon. The aim of this study was to analyze the multiple clinical presentations of hydatid disease and the surgical options according to the involved organ. The medical records of 272 adult patients operated on for hydatid disease in our department during the period 1970-1996 were retrospectively reviewed. The most commonly involved organ was the liver (204 patients; 75%), followed by the lung (42 patients; 15.4%) and the spleen (14 patients; 5.1%). In 12 patients, the cysts were located in uncommon sites: in the pancreas (4 patients; 1.5%), the gallbladder (2 patients; 0.74%), the kidney, the thyroid gland, the breast, the pericardium, the supraclavicular region and the thigh (1 patient in each case; 0.37%). Clinical symptomatology varied according to anatomic location and pre-operative diagnosis was accomplished with plain abdominal films, ultrasound, computerized tomography and serological tests. The surgical procedures performed included simple closure with drainage, unroofing of the cyst with omentoplasty (for liver cysts), marsupialization, cyst excision, excision of the involved organ or combinations of procedures. Postoperative morbidity was mainly due to septic complications (n = 41), postoperative bleeding (n = 2), deep vein thrombosis (n = 2) and fistulae (n = 13). Four patients died in the early postoperative period (mortality rate, 1.5%) secondary to septic complications (n = 3) and pulmonary embolism (n = 1). During long-term follow-up, 14 patients developed recurrent disease. In conclusion, hydatid disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic masses in solid organs or other anatomic sites, especially in endemic countries. Since there is not an effective medical treatment, surgery still remains the treatment of choice, offering a good clinical result and an acceptable recurrence rate.     

Pleural complications of hydatid disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to review pleural and pericardial complications of patients with hydatid cysts and to analyze the management of therapy for these patients. METHODS: Between 1991 and 2001, 43 (29.7%) of 145 patients presented with pleural and pericardial complications. These patients had spontaneous pneumothorax (6.2%), empyema (7.6%), pleural thickening (10.3%), hepatopleural fistula (2.8%), pericarditis (2.1%), and hepatobronchial fistula (0.7%). There were 22 male and 21 female patients, with a mean age of 30 years. RESULTS: The most common symptom was chest pain (79.1%). In 37 (86.1%) of 43 patients, the cysts were unilateral. The ratio of ruptured cysts was 88.4%. In most of the patients, hydatid cysts developed in the right lung (62.9%) and the lower lobes of the lung (70.4%). Multiple cysts were found in 8 (18.6%) patients. The most common surgical techniques were cystotomy with capitonnage (55.7%) and decortication (69.8%). Radical lung resection was used in 14% of the patients. The morbidity rate was 16.3%, and the mortality rate was 2.3%. The mean follow-up was 19 months with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Although lung-preserving surgical interventions should be preferred, radical surgical procedures have been used more commonly in patients with pleural complications of hydatid cysts, and the postoperative morbidity rate was higher in these patients. Because of this, the surgical treatment should be carried out before the development of pleural complications. In addition, echinococcosis should be considered and included in the differential diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax and empyema.     

Peritoneal Perforation of Liver Hydatid Cysts: Clinical Presentation,Predisposing Factors,and Surgical Outcome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation of, predisposing factors in, and early and long-term outcome of patients treated surgically for intraperitoneal ruptured liver hydatid cysts. Medical records of 27 patients with traumatic rupture of hydatid cysts were evaluated retrospectively, as were records of 347 patients with nonperforated hydatid cysts. The ratio of perforation cases to nonperforation cases was 7.8%. Traffic accidents were the most common cause of perforation (n = 16). All patients had abdominal findings, and two patients (7%) had anaphylactic findings. The sensitivities of computed tomography and ultrasonography were 100% and 93%, respectively. Conservative surgical procedures were used for 80.5% of cysts and radical procedures for 19.5%. Associated organ injuries were determined in 10 patients. No significant difference was found between patients with peritoneal perforation and those without perforation in terms of sex (p = 0.403), previous hydatid disease surgery (p = 0.565), localization (p = 0.241), number of cysts (p = 0.537), presence of cystic content infection (p = 0.65), or presence of bile duct communication (p = 0.37). However, there were significant differences in age (p = 0.004), cyst diameter ( > 10 cm) (p = 0.03), and presence of superficially localized cysts (p = 0.011). Three patients developed recurrence. In the group of patients with perforation, the complication and recurrence rates were not statistically different in a comparison of surgical techniques (p = 0.37). No postoperative deaths occurred. The main predisposing factors for cyst perforation are young age and superficial localization. Peritoneal rupture increases the rates of postoperative morbidity and recurrence; in contrast, there was no significant relation between the operative procedure and the morbidity and recurrence rates.     

Complicated hydatid cysts of the lung: clinical and therapeutic issues

BACKGROUND: The clinical presentation and the preoperative and postoperative complications associated with pulmonary hydatid cysts depend on whether the cyst is intact or ruptured. The aim of this study was to review the problems encountered in treating ruptured pulmonary hydatid cysts and to highlight the risks associated with chemotherapy and the delay of surgical treatment in pulmonary hydatid disease. METHODS: The medical records for 67 patients of pulmonary hydatidosis were retrospectively investigated. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether the pulmonary cyst was intact (group 1, n = 34) or complicated (group 2, n = 33). A complicated cyst was defined as one that had ruptured into a bronchus or into the pleural cavity. All patients were treated surgically. Data related to symptoms, preoperative complications, surgical procedures performed, postoperative morbidity, hospitalization time, and cyst recurrence were collected from each individual's records, and the group findings were compared. RESULTS: In most cases of intact pulmonary hydatid cysts, the lesions were either incidental findings or the patient had presented with cough, dyspnea and chest pain. In addition to these symptoms, the patients with complicated cyst had presented with problems such as expectoration of cystic contents, repetitive hemoptysis, productive sputum, and fever. The differences between the groups with respect to the rates of preoperative complications and postoperative morbidity, frequency of decortication, and hospital stay were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is the primary mode of treatment for patients with pulmonary hydatid disease. Complicated cases have higher rates of preoperative and postoperative complications and require longer hospitalization time and more extensive surgical procedures than uncomplicated cases. This underlines the need for immediate surgery in any patient who is diagnosed with pulmonary hydatidosis.     

Surgical management of complicated hydatid cysts of the liver

AIM: To review the clinical presentation and surgical management of complicated hydatid cysts of the liver and to assess whether conservative surgery is adequate in the management of complicated hydatid cysts of liver.METHODS: The study was carried out at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science, Srinagar, Kashmir, India. Sixty nine patients with hydatid disease of the liver were surgically managed from April 2004 to October 2005 with a follow up period of three years. It included 27 men and 42 women with a median age of 35 years. An abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography and serology established diagnosis. Patients with jaundice and high suspicion of intrabiliary rupture were subjected to preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Cysts with infection, rupture into the biliary tract and peritoneal cavity were categorized as complicated cysts. Eighteen patients (26%) had complicated cysts and formed the basis for this study.RESULTS: Common complications were infection (14%), intrabiliary rupture (9%) and intraperitoneal rupture (3%). All the patients with infected cysts presented with pain and fever. All the patients with intrabiliary rupture had jaundice, while only four with intrabiliary rupture had pain and only two had fever. Surgical procedures performed in complicated cysts were: infection-omentoplasty in three and external drainage in seven; intrabiliary rupture-omentoplasty in two and internal drainage in four patients. Two patients with intraperitoneal rupture underwent external drainage. There was no mortality. The postoperative morbidity was 50% in complicated cysts and 16% in uncomplicated cysts.CONCLUSION: Complicated hydatid cyst of the liver can be successfully managed surgically with good long term results.     

Laparoscopic management of benign cystic lesions of the liver

We present our experience in the laparoscopic management of benign liver cysts. The aim of the study was to analyze the technical feasibility of such management and to evaluate safety and outcome on follow-up. Between September 1990 and October 1997, 31 patients underwent laparoscopic liver surgery for benign cystic lesions. Indications were: solitary giant liver cysts (n = 16); polycystic liver disease (PLD; n = 9); and hydatid cysts (n = 6). All giant solitary liver cysts were considered for laparoscopy. Only patients with PLD and large dominant cysts located in anterior liver segments, and patients with large hydatid cysts, regardless of segment or small partially calcified cysts in a safe laparoscopic segment, were included. Patients with cholangitis, cirrhosis, and significant cardiac disease were excluded. Data were collected prospectively. The procedures were completed laparoscopically in 29 patients. The median size of the solitary liver cysts was 14 cm (range, 7–22 cm). Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 2 patients (6.4%), to control bleeding. The median operative time was 141 min (range, 94–165 min) for patients with PLD and 179 min (range, 88–211 min) for patients with hydatid cysts. All solitary liver cysts were fenestrated in less than 1 h. There were no deaths. Complications occurred in 6 patients (19%). Two hemorrhagic and two infectious complications were noted after management of hydatid cysts. Three patients were transfused. The median length of hospital stay was 1.3 days (range, 1–3 days), 3 days (range, 2–7 days), and 5 days (range, 2–17 days) for solitary cyst, PLD, and hydatid cysts, respectively. Median follow-up was 30 months (range, 3–78 months). There was no recurrence of solitary liver cyst or hydatid cysts. One patient with PLD presented with symptomatic recurrent cysts at 6 months, requiring laparotomy. We conclude that laparoscopic liver surgery can be accomplished safely in patients with giant solitary cysts, regardless of location. The laparoscopic management of polycystic liver disease should be reserved for patients with a limited number of large, anteriorly located cysts. Hydatid disease is best treated through an open approach. Received for publication on Aug. 21, 1999; accepted on Sept. 2, 1999     

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of intrabiliary ruptured hydatid disease of the liver

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The major complication of hydatid disease of the liver is intrabiliary rupture of the cyst. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with intrabiliary ruptured hydatid disease of the liver. METHOD: Using a standardised data collection instrument, case records of patients who were operated on for hydatid disease of the liver diagnosed between January 1990 and December 2001 at Dicle University Hospital (DUH) were searched and 192 patients who had been operated for hydatid disease of the liver were detected. Of these, 20 patients (16 females, 4 males) were retrospectively reviewed for intrabiliary ruptured hydatid disease of the liver. RESULTS: Intrabiliary ruptured hydatid disease of the liver was determined in 10.4% (N = 20) of the patients (N = 192) operated for hydatid disease of the liver. The average age of patients was 38.9 +/- 14.05 years (range 20 - 72 years). The duration of the symptoms was 3.4 +/- 2.13 years (range 1 - 8 years). The most frequent symptoms were right upper quadrant/epigastric pain, dyspepsia, jaundice and pruritus. Diagnosis of hydatid cyst was principally made using ultrasonography. Twelve cysts (60%) were located in the right lobe, 5 (25%) in the left lobe, and 3 (15%) in the right and left lobes. The size of the cysts was 12.6 +/- 5.79 cm (range 6 - 20 cm). The average diameter of the common bile duct (CBD) was 20.45 +/- 8.54 mm (range 10 - 40 mm). Dilated CBD in 16 patients (80%) and daughter cysts and debris in the CBD in 10 patients (50%) were found during operation. Partial cystectomy and capitonnage were performed in all patients. In addition, T-tube drainage in 17 patients, omentoplasty plus T-tube drainage in 2 patients and choledochoduodenostomy in 1 patient were carried out during operation. An internal opening of the biliary fistula was found and sutured in 12 patients (60%). Wound infections developed in 6 patients (30%), suppuration of the residual cavity in 4 patients, and wound dehiscence in 2 patients. Two patients (10%) died from sepsis-multiple organ failure and hepatic failure. The average period of hospitalisation was 28.75 +/- 19.1 days (range 10 - 103 days). CONCLUSIONS: If bile-stained cystic fluid and a dilated CBD is found in patients with hydatid disease of the liver, choledochal exploration should be performed during operation. T-tube drainage may be preferred in the management of intrabiliary ruptured hydatid disease because of low morbidity, the ability to decompress intrabiliary pressure, easier monitoring of the biliary drainage and smaller alteration of the anatomy.     

One-stage Transthoracic Operation for the Treatment of Right Lung and Liver Hydatid Cysts

In this study we reviewed our experience of hydatid disease of the lung and the liver and discussed the safety and the follow-up results of the one-stage operation. Between 1990 and 2004, 142 patients with pulmonary hydatid disease underwent operation in our clinic. Of these, 27 (19%) patients had cysts located on the dome of the liver, treated with phrenotomy through a right thoracotomy. Hydatid cysts located in the lungs were managed by means of cystotomy. For liver cysts, cystotomy and the inversion of the cavity with sutures was the surgical method of choice, and a drain was left in place. The pulmonary cysts of 12 (8.4%) patients were bilateral and 5 (3.5%) patients had prior surgical treatment of hepatic (n = 1) or pulmonary (n = 4) hydatid cysts. The liver cysts were approached transdiaphragmatically after the lung cysts were excised in 27 (19%) patients. In patients with pulmonary cysts, cystotomy, with or without capitonnage was performed on 123 (86.6%) patients, and wedge resection was performed on 11 (7.7%), segmentectomy was performed on 6 patients (4.2%), and lobectomy was performed on 2 (1.4%) patients. There was no mortality, and only a small number of complications were encountered: empyema in 3, excessive biliary drainage in 2, and bronchopleural fistula in only 1. We suggest that the extraction of pulmonary and hepatic cysts simultaneously through the transthoracic route is a useful and safe surgical technique. This technique also prevents the need for a second operation.     

One-stage operation via median sternotomy and phrenotomy for bilateral lung and liver hydatid disease

Background Echinoccosis is an endemic disease throughout the world. We reviewed a series of 26 bilateral lung and liver hydatid treated surgically via median sternotomy and either phrenotomy or laparotomy. Aims This study was conducted to emphasize the importance of one-stage operation via median sternotomy for multiple hydatid cysts. Materials and Methods This study is a retrospective review of our surgical skills for treatment of hydatid cysts. From January 1990 to January 2001, 173 patients were operated for hydatid disease in Heybeliada Thoracic Surgery Center. Twenty-six (15%) of them had bilateral lung hydatid cysts including 17 concomitant liver cysts. Median sternotomy was performed in all of 26 cases and phrenotomy was commonly used to remove concomitant liver cysts at the same operation. Cystotomy without capitonnage was the most common operative procedure for both lung and liver cysts. Results There was no operative and postoperative death. Post-operative complications occurred in only two patients: these were atelectasis and wound infection. The mean follow-up was 7.3 years (ranging from 1 to 12 years). No recurrence was recorded both in lung and in liver. Conclusions One-stage operation using median sternotomy and phrenotomy should be preferred to stage thoracotomies in suitable cases with multiple hydatid cysts. Cystotomy without capitomage and closure of the bronchial openings can be an alternative procedure in hydatid disease surgery. Albendozole treatment is necessary in the postoperative period to obtain good results without any recurrence.     

Hydatid cyst of the pancreas:Report of an undiagnosed case of pancreatic hydatid cyst and brief literature review

AIM: To overview the literature on pancreatic hydatid cyst(PHC) disease, a disease frequently misdiagnosed during preoperative radiologic investigation.METHODS: PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and Google databases were searched to identify articles related to PHC using the following keywords: hydatid cyst, hydatid disease, unusual location of hydatid cyst, hydatid cyst and pancreas, pancreatic hydatid cyst, and pancreatic echinococcosis. The search included let-ters to the editor, case reports, review articles, original articles, meeting presentations and abstracts that had been published between January 2010 and April 2014 without any restrictions on language, journal, or country. All articles identified and retrieved which contained adequate information on the study population(including patient age and sex) and disease and treatment related data(such as cyst size, cyst location, and clinical man-agement) were included in the study; articles with in-sufficient demographic and clinical data were excluded. In addition, we evaluated a case of a 48-year-old fe-male patient with PHC who was treated in our clinic.RESULTS: A total of 58 patients, including our one new case,(age range: 4 to 70 years, mean ± SD: 31.4 ± 15.9 years) were included in the analysis. Twenty-nine of the patients were female, and 29 were male. The information about cyst location was available from studies involving 54 patients and indicated the follow-ing distribution of locations: pancreatic head(n = 21), pancreatic tail(n = 18), pancreatic body and tail(n = 8), pancreatic body(n = 5), pancreatic head and body(n = 1), and pancreatic neck(n = 1). Extra-pancreatic locations of hydatid cysts were reported in the studies involving 44 of the patients. Among these, no other focus than pancreas was detected in 32 of the patients(isolated cases) while 12 of the patients had hydatid cysts in extra-pancreatic sites(liver: n = 6, liver + spleen + peritoneum: n = 2, kidney: n = 1, liver + kidney: n = 1, kidney + peritoneum: n = 1 and liver + lung: n = 1). Serological information was available in the studies involving 40 patients, and 21 of those pa-tients were serologically positive and 15 were serologi-cally negative; the remaining 4 patients underwent no serological testing. Information about pancreatic cyst size was available in the studies involving 42 patients; the smallest cyst diameter reported was 26 mm and the largest cyst diameter reported was 180 mm(mean ± SD: 71.3 ± 36.1 mm). Complications were avail-able in the studies of 16 patients and showed the fol-lowing distribution: cystobiliary fistula(n = 4), cysto-pancreatic fistula(n = 4), pancreatitis(n = 6), and portal hypertension(n = 2). Postoperative follow-up data were available in the studies involving 48 patients and postoperative recurrence data in the studies of 51 patients; no cases of recurrence occurred in any patient for an average follow-up duration of 22.5 ± 23.1(range: 2-120) mo. Only two cases were reported as having died on fourth(our new case) and fifteenth days respectively. CONCLUSION: PHC is a parasitic infestation that is rare but can cause serious pancreato-biliary complica-tions. Its preoperative diagnosis is challenging, as its radiologic findings are often mistaken for other cystic lesions of the pancreas.     

Liver abscess of hydatid origin: clinical features and results of aggressive treatment

Background : Cyst infection and subsequent liver abscess formation are complications of liver echinococcosis. Traditionally, this condition has been treated by simple drainage, a procedure associated with unsatisfactory postoperative evolution. Methods : The present paper examines a series of cases involving infected liver echinococcal cysts. Surgery was performed at the Temuco Regional Hospital after assessment was made of general and liver laboratory parameters, chest X‐ray and abdominal ultrasound were performed and antibiotic treatment was administered. The procedure consisted of surgical drainage, parasite material extirpation and pericystic membrane resection with surrounding healthy liver parenchyma. The morbidity and mortality rate, hospital stay and evidence of recurrent hydatid disease were evaluated. Results : Forty‐nine patients (21 male and 28 female), with a median age of 45 years (range 16–84 years), with infected cysts measuring 14 cm in ultrasonographical diameter (range 5–30 cm) were operated on. In the majority of cases, liver abscesses were located in the right lobe (37 patients, 75.4%) and the most frequent computed tomography scan pattern was heterogeneous (40 patients, 81.6%). The median hospital stay was 5 days, the median follow‐up period was 32 months (range 2–91 months) and perioperative morbidity was 24.4%. Surgical complications were verified in five patients (10.2%) and medical complications occurred in seven cases (14.3%). No recurrence of hydatid disease was observed. Mortality was 2% (one patient). Conclusions : Good results were obtained when hydatid liver abscesses were treated aggressively.     

Laparoscopic treatment of solid and cystic tumors of the liver. Study of 33 cases

AIM OF THE STUDY: Laparoscopic liver surgery is still in its early stages. The aim of this study was to report our experience in the laparoscopic management of solid and cystic liver tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1991 to December 1999, 32 patients with various lesions of the liver underwent laparoscopic liver surgery. One group of patients presented with cysts (n = 15) (11 giant solitary cysts and 4 polycystic liver diseases) and one group of patients presented with solid tumours (n = 18): focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 8), haemangioma (n = 6), adenoma (n = 2), isolated metastasis from a colonic cancer (n = 1) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1). Fifteen cyst fenestrations and eighteen liver resections were performed via a laparoscopic approach including 1 right lobectomy, 5 left lateral segmentectomies, 2 subsegmentectomies IVb, 1 segmentectomy III and 9 non-anatomical resections. RESULTS: Conversion to laparotomy was performed in one case (3%) at the end of the operation (patient who had successfully undergone left lateral segmentectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma) to check the resection margins and surgical transection had been performed in healthy parenchyma. Mean diameter of solid tumours was 6.5 cm and 15.7 cm for solitary cysts. The mean operating time for hepatic resections was 232 minutes. There was no postoperative mortality. Complications occurred in one case for each group and consisted in intestinal stricture through a port site requiring intestinal resection. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.6 days for solid tumours and 7.5 days for cystic lesions. In the group of cystic lesions, the recurrence rate was 50% with a 5.5-months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver surgery can be safely performed, but requires a good experience in open hepatic surgery and laparoscopic surgery. The laparoscopic approach is indicated in patients with symptomatic or atypical benign solid tumour, giant solitary cyst and polycystic liver disease, located anteriorly on the liver. Indications for malignant lesions have not been clearly defined and require further information.     

Open drainage versus overlapping method in the treatment of hepatic hydatid cyst cavities.

In order to compare the results of open drainage and overlapping methods, 58 consecutive patients with uncomplicated hepatic hydatid disease were investigated between January 1990 and January 1997. The cavities were obliterated by overlapping method in 26 patients and were left open into the peritoneal cavity following partial pericystectomy in 32 patients. Postoperative complications and follow-up results of ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) were compared between the two groups. In total, there were 56 cysts in the obliterated group and 83 cysts in the open drainage group. There was no significant difference in age, sex, mean diameter of the cysts, US features of the cysts according to the Gharbi classification, and median follow-up. Mean hospital stay was 10 days in the overlapping group and 7.5 days in the open drainage group (P = 0.033). No postoperative complication was observed in the obliterated group and nearly half of the cyst cavities could not be detected in the early postoperative period by US and CT. Pleural effusion (n = 1) and biliary fistula (n = 1) were detected in the open drainage group which disappeared spontaneously. In the open drainage group, US and CT surveillance revealed that the cyst cavities were reduced in size and the echo pattern was changed in the early postoperative period, whereas the appearance changed into pseudotumor view in the late postoperative period. In conclusion, the cyst cavities disappear perfectly in the overlapping group. Treating the cyst cavity by open drainage is an easy, effective and safe technique. Open drainage can be a 'method of choice' for patients with multiple hydatid cysts and for cysts where management is difficult or unamenable to other methods, but the residual cyst cavities may be misinterpreted as a new cyst by an inexperienced radiologist.     

IS LOBECTOMY NECESSARY IN THE TREATMENT OF PULMONARY HYDATID CYSTS?

BACKGROUND: Hydatidosis is endemic in Turkey and many other areas of the world. The definitive treatment for pulmonary hydatidosis is surgical. The purpose of this study was the review of surgical therapy of our patients with pulmonary hydatid disease and the necessity of lobectomy. METHODS: We reviewed 107 patients: 26 of whom were women and 81 were men. The median age was 30 years (range, 7-57 years). Chest roentgenogram, abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography of the chest and upper abdomen were carried out as diagnostic study. All patients underwent thoracotomy and cystotomy with or without capitonnage. RESULTS: Four patients had two cysts in the same lobe and one patient had three cysts (one perforated and two intact) in the left lower lobe (4.6%). In nine patients, the cysts were >10 cm in diameter (8.4%). In 18 patients, the cysts were suppurative (16.8%). None of the patients required lobectomy. Of the 107 patients, prolonged air leaks (n = 8), atelectasis (n = 3) and empyema (n = 3; two had empyema preoperatively because of pleural perforation of cysts and the other had prolonged air leak) were observed in the postoperative period. There was no death. CONCLUSION: The effective treatment of hydatid cysts in the lung is the complete excision of the cyst with maximum preservation of lung parenchyma. We believe that the decision of lobectomy must be taken very carefully, even in the case of infected hydatid cysts, atelectasis, giant cysts and multiple cysts in the same lobe.     

The surgical management of congenital liver cysts

BACKGROUND: Most series that report the results of surgical treatment for congenital liver cysts focus more on the technical aspects of the operation than on the late outcome of these patients. In this paper, we emphasize the importance of appropriate patient selection and adequate surgical technique for successful long-term outcome. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients with congenital liver cysts were selected for surgical treatment. According to our own classification, 13 patients had simple liver cysts, nine had multicystic liver disease, and two had type I polycystic liver disease. All of these patients were treated by the fenestration technique. An open approach was used for five patients (group 1) treated between 1984 and 1990. In 19 patients (group 2) treated since 1991, a laparoscopic approach was used. The incidence of complicated liver cysts was 40% in group 1 and 68% in group 2. RESULTS: There were no treatment-related deaths in this series. The mean postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter for patients who underwent successful laparoscopic fenestration (p < 0.05). In the open group (group 1), there were no postoperative complications, and all patients were alive and free of symptoms during a mean follow-up of 130 months, without any sign of cyst recurrence. In the laparoscopic group (group 2), four patients were converted to open surgery. One of these patients had an inaccessible posterior cyst; another had bile within the cystic cavity. A further two cases had complicated liver cysts with an uncertain diagnosis between congenital and neoplastic cysts. Four patients (21%) developed peri- or postoperative complications. During a mean follow-up time of 38.5 months, none of the patients with simple liver cysts incurred late symptoms or signs of cyst recurrence. In the six patients with multicystic liver disease, one developed disease-related cyst progression (17%) and required reoperation. One of the two patients with type I polycystic liver disease (50%) developed asymptomatic disease-related cyst progression. CONCLUSIONS: When patients are carefully selected and a proper surgical technique is employed, excellent long-term results with a low morbidity rate can be achieved in patients with congenital liver cysts. Patients with multicystic liver disease or type I polycystic liver disease are more prone to late cyst recurrence. A tailored approach is thus indicated for patients with congenital liver cystic disease. However, the laparoscopic approach appears to be the gold standard for the treatment of highly symptomatic or complicated simple liver cysts.     

Surgical Strategy for Cystic Diseases of the Liver in a Western Hepatobiliary Center

The aim of this study was to define the indications and evaluate the results of various management options in patients with cystic liver disease. Between 1992 and 1999 we managed 60 consecutive patients with cystic liver disease. Diagnoses included a simple cyst (solitary 12, multiple 10), adult polycystic liver disease (APLD 17), Caroli’s disease (8), hydatid cysts (4), and neoplastic cysts (9). Half of the patients with simple cysts had mild or no symptoms and required no treatment. Percutaneous drainage in eight patients (simple cyst 4, APLD 4) was followed by symptomatic recurrence in three. Laparoscopic deroofing in three patients (multiple simple cysts 2, APLD 1) was followed by symptomatic enlargement of the remaining cysts that required further intervention (laparoscopic deroofing 2, transplantation 1). Laparoscopic hepatectomy was successful in three patients with solitary simple cysts. Of 18 patients who underwent open hepatic resection (neoplastic 8, Caroli’s 4, simple cysts 3, hydatid cysts 2, APLD 1), 2 patients with Caroli’s disease required liver transplantation for disease progression. Nine patients (Caroli’s 5, APLD 4) underwent liver transplantation, and three had a concomitant renal transplant. Seven patients developed complications, and three died (5%). Cholangiocarcinoma developed in three patients with bilateral Caroli’s disease, and all died. Radiologic treatment has a limited role in the management of patients with simple cysts or APLD. Laparoscopic deroofing of simple cysts may have to be repeated, whereas resection minimizes cyst recurrence. Unilobar Caroli’s disease may be resected, whereas bilateral disease requires early liver transplantation owing to the high risk of malignancy. Transplantation is a reserved option in patients with extensive APLD.