Outcomes and Risk Factors for Morbidity After Lung Hydatidosis Surgery in Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Parasitic Diseases
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Lung hydatidosis (LH) is a parasitic infection affecting the lungs, primarily caused by Echinococcus granulosus.
• Surgical management of pediatric lung hydatidosis requires careful consideration of outcomes and risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of surgical interventions for lung hydatidosis in children.
• To identify independent risk factors associated with postoperative morbidity in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for lung hydatidosis.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, analytical study was conducted over 35 years, including all pediatric surgical cases of lung hydatidosis.
• Univariate and multivariable analyses were employed to determine predictors of postoperative complications.

Main Results:

• The study included 456 children undergoing 544 procedures for 704 lung hydatidosis cysts.
• Conservative surgery was performed in 98.5% of cases, with a 24.4% complication rate and 0.2% mortality.
• Independent risk factors for morbidity included anatomical lung resection, ICU stay, complicated cysts, larger cyst size (≥60 mm), multiple bronchial fistulas, liver hydatidosis, and empyema.

Conclusions:

• Conservative lung-sparing surgery is the optimal treatment for pediatric lung hydatidosis, associated with low mortality.
• Understanding identified risk factors can guide clinical management and enhance postoperative outcomes for children with lung hydatidosis.