Surgical alternative in the treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts

In this prospective study, 186 patients from 2 centers in Yemen were operated on for hepatic hydatid cysts aiming to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different operative techniques. These 186 patients [112 males and 74 females] had surgery between July 1999 and December 2001. Their mean age was 28.5 years [range 2-65 years]. They were assessed by clinical examination, ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen. Serology was not available for the patients. Anaphylaxis occurred in five cases. Chemotherapy [albendazole] was used for two months after operation for the selected cases. The hospital stay was considered for all cases. The study concluded that for the management of hydatid hepatic cysts, cystectomy capitonnage, omentoplasty and open drainage are superior to external drainage which should be kept for complicated and infected cysts