ABSTRACT
To evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic approach in the management of hydatid liver cyst From December 2002 to August 2003, six consecutive cases of solitary liver hydatid cyst managed by laparoscopic surgery are reported. Age, sex, duration of surgery, surgical morbidity, hospital stay, time until return to work, and evidence of hydatid cyst recurrence were measured to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this procedure. The laparoscopic approach was performed on six patients [three women and three men] with a mean age of 42 years [range, 17-67 years] who had a solitary cyst with a mean diameter 8.5 centimeters [range, 7-10 centimeter], the operative time range between 40-120 minutes. The mean follow up period was 5 months [range, 2-9 months]. One patient had anaphylaxis during the procedure which was managed successfully, but continued to have positive serology tests in her follow up visit to the out patient clinic. Hospital stay was 2-4 days and return to work was within 8-10 days. The laparoscopic approach is feasible and safe in selected patients. It has established its role in the management of hepatic hydatidosis if precautions have been followed as in open technique. A prospective multicentric and randomized studies, that can provide sufficient scientific evidence to clarify most of the controversies related to the real applicability of laparoscopy for hepatic hydatid disease, are needed