Current approaches in the surgical treatment of liver hydatid disease: single center experience

Liver hydatid disease is a common benign condition in many countries. Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic treatment can play an important role in improving the post-operative recovery, reducing the morbidity and recurrence rate of these patients.The purpose of this study is to show that the laparoscopic method is effective and safe in the treatment of liver hydatid cysts compared to open surgery, even in large cysts.

All consecutive cases surgically managed for liver hydatid cyst from 7 January 2008 and 15 January 2010 in our institution were included in this study.The surgical approach (laparoscopic or open) and operative strategy, as well as operative and prognostic outcomes, were analyzed. Cyst size, type, location, presence of biliary tract communication, radiological findings, duration of hospitalization, recurrence and postoperative morbidity were analysed and compared retrospectively.

A total of 60 patients were included in the study.A total of 23 patients underwent open surgery, and 37 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery.Operation types of laparoscopic surgery were as follows: partial pericystectomy (12patients), total cystectomy(2 patients), partial pericystectomy+total cystectomy(7patients) and cystectomy(16patients).The surgical procedures chosen for open treatment of the residual cavity were partial pericystectomy and omentoplasty(17cases), total pericystectomy(3cases) and partial and total pericystectomy(3cases).Cysto-biliary communication was found in 9 patients. A total of 10 patients underwent preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, and one patient underwent postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.There was a progression of hypernatremia in 1 patient, wound infections in 3 patients, and perioperative hemorrhage in 3 patients. There were no statistically significant differences concerning age(p = 0.344), gender(p = 0.318), ASA classification(p = 0.963), Gharbi classification(p = 0.649) whereas there were significant differences related to cyst location(p = 0.040) and size(p = 0.022) in patients undergoing laparoscopic and open surgery. Postoperative temporary biliary fistulas were observed in 2 patients undergoing open surgery. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery had the advantages of shorter hospital stays and operation times, less blood loss, faster recovery, and lower wound infection rates. Recurrences were detected in 2.7% of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery and 4.7% of those undergoing open procedures.

Compared to open surgery in the treatment of liver hydatid cysts, we have shown that laparoscopic method can be safely performed even in large cysts and/or cysto-biliary communication.