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Surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid cysts in children
S Topçu1, I C Kurul, I Taştepe
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Atatürk Center for Chest Disease and Thoracic Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Surgery is the preferred treatment for pediatric hydatid cysts in the lungs and liver. Conservative surgical techniques that preserve lung tissue are recommended to minimize complications like air leakage.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is a significant parasitic zoonosis endemic in sheep-raising regions, posing a persistent health challenge in Turkey.
- Pediatric hydatid cyst presents a unique clinical scenario requiring specialized management approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the surgical experience with thoracic and liver hydatid cysts in children.
- To discuss and evaluate treatment concepts for pediatric hydatid disease.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 128 pediatric patients (71 boys, 57 girls; aged 8 months to 16 years) who underwent surgery for thoracic or liver hydatid cysts between 1994 and 2000.
- Analysis of cyst status (intact vs. ruptured) in 144 and 68 patients, respectively.
Main Results:
- A total of 20 perioperative complications were observed in 16 patients.
- The most frequent complications were residual pleural space and delayed air leakage, occurring in 9 patients.
- No early mortality was recorded in the study cohort.
Conclusions:
- Surgical intervention remains the primary treatment modality for pulmonary hydatid disease in children.
- Surgical objectives include cyst evacuation, endocyst removal, and effective management of the resultant cavity.
- Preference should be given to conservative surgical techniques that prioritize lung parenchyma preservation.
Objective:
Hydatid disease is a parasitosis and endemic in many sheepraising areas; it is still an important health problem in Turkey. We report our experience with childhood hydatid cyst and discuss the concepts of treatment.
Methods:
The clinical courses of 128 children with thoracic and liver hydatid cyst operated on from 1994 to 2000 were reviewed. The group consisted of 71 boys and 57 girls aged from 8 months to 16 years. Intact cysts were found in 144 patients and ruptured cysts in 68.
Results:
In the postoperative course we have encountered 20 perioperative complications in 16 patients. The most common complication was residual pleural space and delayed air leakage, which occurred in 9 patients. There was no early death.
Conclusion:
Surgery is the treatment of choice for most patients with pulmonary hydatid disease. The aim of surgery is evacuation of the cyst, removal of the endocyst, and management of the residual cavity. Conservative surgical methods that preserve lung parenchyma should be preferred.