[The Echinococcus and complicated forms of hepatic echinococcosis--their surgical treatment]

A series of 137 patients presenting Echinococcus of which 132 (96.3 per cent) with hepatic location, operated in the clinic of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery over the period 1984 to 1994, are analyzed. Right-side location is documented in 59.1 per cent, left-side--in 26.5 per cent, and bilateral--in 14.4 per cent of the patients operated on. In 18.2 per cent it is a matter of a multiple process, and in 27.3 per cent--complicated course. Conservative operative procedures are used in 56.1 per cent, mixed--in 18.9 per cent, and radical--in 25 per cent. Overall mortality in the series amounts to 3.03 per cent; in patients subjected to radical operation--0 per cent, and in cases with serious postoperative complications requiring relaparotomy--similarly 3.03 per cent. Biliary fistulas as postoperative complications are noted in 4.5 per cent, and recurrences in the late postoperative period--in 1.5 per cent. The clinical relevance of the diagnostic methods used, and the indications for performing various operative procedures are discussed. The early and long-term postoperative results are assayed against the background of current literature reports on the issue.