Hydatid liver disease: our 25-year experience

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Treatment

Background:

• Hydatid disease is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus spp., primarily affecting the liver and lungs in humans.
• Surgical interventions, including conservative and radical procedures, have been the historical standard treatment.
• The disease is endemic in Córdoba, Argentina, necessitating localized study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hydatid liver disease.
• To evaluate surgical treatment outcomes, focusing on total cystectomy.
• To determine the optimal surgical approach for hydatid liver disease.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective descriptive study of 57 patients with hydatid liver disease treated surgically between 1985 and 2009.
• Ultrasonography was the primary diagnostic tool, achieving 100% sensitivity.
• Surgical procedures included total cystectomy in 47.4% of cases.

Main Results:

• The study population was predominantly female (50.9%) with a mean age of 53 years.
• Pain (56%) and palpable mass (33.3%) were the most common presentations.
• Surgical morbidity was 29.8%, with zero mortality and an average 12-day hospital stay.

Conclusions:

• Diagnosis relies on clinical, epidemiological, and imaging (ultrasound, CT) data, supported by blood tests.
• Total cystectomy is suggested as the primary surgical choice due to favorable outcomes.
• This approach offers reduced morbidity, mortality, and postoperative hospitalization compared to other methods.