Ruptured hydatid cysts of the lung in children: clinical review and results of surgery.
BACKGROUND
Rupture of a hydatid cyst may cause some unique problems, especially in children.


METHODS
Sixty-three children with a total of 68 ruptured lung hydatid cysts were operated on between 1980 and 2000. Mean age was 12.3 years (range, 1 to 15 years). Radiographic findings were hydropneumothorax (20.6%) and air-fluid level (19%). Mean follow-up was 19.3 months.


RESULTS
Transthoracic needle aspiration was responsible for the rupture in 3 children. The interval between cyst rupture and operation was less than 24 hours in 10 patients (15.9%), 1 to 4 days in 36 (57.1%), and more than 4 days in 17 (27%). Resection rate was 22.1%. The most frequent operative method was cystotomy and capitonnage (38%). Morbidity was 25.4% (extended air leak 5, empyema 3, bronchopleural fistula 3, atelectasis 3, pneumonia 2). Mortality was 4.7% (hemoptysis 1, pneumonia and sepsis 1, aspiration of hydatid material 1). Morbidity and mortality seem to be more frequent in late cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Early surgical intervention with single-lung ventilation and maximum parenchyma preservation are recommended.
Balci
Akin Eraslan
AE
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey. abalci@dicle.edu.tr
Eren
Nesimi
N
Eren
Sevval
S
Ulkü
Refik
R
D000293:Adolescent; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004445:Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006876:Hydrothorax / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014421:Turkey