[Longitudinal sternotomy--a method for the surgical option in pulmonary and hepatic echinococcosis]

Emphasis is laid on the utilization of longitudinal sternotomy as an operative method of choice, practicable in echinococcosis with bilateral pulmonary location, eventually associated with liver involvement. Experience had with performing longitudinal sternotomy in some of the patients operated in the clinic of thoracic surgery of the Higher Medical Institute--Sofia and in other surgical units throughout the country, covering the period 1985 through 1990, is shared. A clinical case of interest concerning bilateral lung echinococcosis, partially complicated, and associated with hydatid disease of the liver, is described. A new and rational treatment tactics yielding a very good outcome is introduced, namely--single-stage longitudinal sternotomy with right-side frenotomy and echinococcotomy of the lung and liver cysts according to well-established surgical tenets, with ensuing plastic reconstruction of the disrupted right hemidiaphragm integrity and osteosynthesis of the sternum.