A Troublesome Complication of Hydatid Cysts; Intra-Abdominal Rupture: A 10-Year Study from a High-Volume Center

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic infection, often caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Although it is classified as a benign disease, cyst ruptures in the abdomen can be fatal. Ruptures occur spontaneously or after trauma. We aimed to report data from patients who underwent emergency surgery due to spontaneous intra-abdominal hydatid cyst rupture.

Upon a retrospective review of the records at Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey, we found that 34 cases were operated on due to hydatid cyst rupture between January 2012 and October 2022. All patients were operated on in an emergency, and partial cystectomy, intra-abdominal irrigation, and drainage were performed using laparotomy. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, sex, symptoms, radiological findings, laboratory results, intraoperative findings, and postoperative follow-ups.

Twenty-two (64.7%) female and 12 (35.3%) male patients were enrolled. The mean age was 39.1 (±17.58) years. All patients experienced spontaneous rupture. The ruptured cyst was found in the liver in 32 patients (94%), the spleen in 1 patient (3%), and the pelvis in 1 patient (3%). The diagnosis was determined using ultrasonography in 12 (35.3%) patients, computed tomography in 21 (61.8%) patients, and magnetic resonance imaging in 1 (2.9%) patient. All patients exhibited acute abdomen and leukocytosis. The average length of hospital stay was 5.14 (±1.37) days.

Hydatid cyst rupture should be considered in cases of acute abdomen, particularly in regions where the disease is endemic, as in our region. The ruptured hydatid cyst was primarily observed in the liver (94.11% of cases).