Retroperitoneal laparoscopy for the management of renal hydatid cyst

Hydatid disease is one of the common parasitic afflictions seen in sheep rearing areas of world, with certain areas in northern India showing a very high incidence. It is caused by the larval/cyst stage of Echinococcus granulosus, in which humans are an intermediate host. The cysts are located in liver 75% times, lungs 15%, other organs 10%. Isolated involvement of kidneys is rare and forms 2-4% of cases. The treatment usually requires some form of intervention ranging from minimally invasive percutaneous aspiration techniques to laparoscopic and the maximally invasive, open techniques. Herein, we describe two cases of isolated renal hydatid cysts that were treated successfully by retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach to prevent the soiling of peritoneal cavity. One of the cases had a preoperative diagnosis of simple renal cyst. No complications occurred at peroperative and postoperative periods. The patients were given 3 cycles of Albendazole (10 mg/kg in two divided doses), each for a period of four weeks followed by a weeks rest. The patients are under strict follow-up and no recurrence has been documented yet.