title: Adjuvant therapy in the treatment of complications following surgery for hepatic echinococcal cysts.
abstract: Thirty-two patients had surgery for hepatic echinococcal cysts (HEC). Serious complications were observed in 16 patients (50%): cyst recurrence (n = 4), infected residual cyst cavity (n = 7), infected residual cyst cavity with biliary and duodenal fistulae (n = 2), recurrent biliary obstruction following open surgery for a ruptured HEC into the biliary tree (n = 2), delayed rupture of an HEC into the biliary tree following laparoscopic surgery with secondary biliary obstruction (n = 1). These major complications were successfully managed by percutaneous methods in 8 of 16 patients while antihelmintic therapy was sufficient in two patients with a small recurrent cyst and ERCP was used in one patient to relieve biliary obstruction. Surgery was required in two patients only. With a success rate of 87.5%, the nonsurgical approach is the preferred method for treating a post-surgical complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, P.O. Box 113-6044, Beirut, Lebanon. rad@aub.edu.lb
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Huwaijah
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Mourad
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Sharara
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Al-Kutoubi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography