Laparoscopically treated liver hydatid cysts.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopy is effective and reliable in treating hepatic hydatid disease.


METHODS
Case series of patients with hepatic hydatid disease who underwent laparoscopic treatment within 7 years.


METHODS
Department of General Surgery, Cerrahpasa Medical School, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.


METHODS
Forty-eight patients with hydatid disease who met our criteria for laparoscopic surgery and were aged 17 years or older.


METHODS
Cystotomy and partial cystectomy with drainage were performed in 33 patients. Omentoplasty was simultaneously performed in 15 patients to obliterate the cystic cavity.


METHODS
Clinicopathologic features, morbidity, mortality, operative time, length of hospital stay, conversion to laparotomy, and recurrences were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The mean operative time was 82 minutes (range, 45-170 minutes). The conversion rate to open surgery was 4%. The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 4.2 days. Morbidity was 6% (3 patients). There was no mortality. The mean follow-up was 34.2 months. No recurrences were observed during this period.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic hepatic hydatid surgery is a safe and effective method in selected patients. Further studies should be encouraged in this field because there is no universally accepted standard technique.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004322:Drainage; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors