title: Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver in children. A report on 34 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the safety and efficiency of laparoscopically treated liver cysts in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2001 to July 2004, 34 patients underwent laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cysts of the liver. All patients had chest x-ray, abdominal sonography, and hydatid serology. The different stages of the procedure were the same as in open surgery: puncture, aspiration, injection of scolicidal agent, reaspiration, removal of proligerous membrane, and resection of the dome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' mean average age was 7 years and 7 months (range, 3-14 years). The number of cysts ranged from 1 to 10 with a diameter of 40 to 150 mm (mean diameter, 65.5 mm). One case had a mesenteric associated hydatid cyst, another splenic hydatid cyst. The average length of hospital stay was 5 days (range, 4-14 days). No per- or postoperative complications were reported. At 12 to 45 months follow-up, no recurrence has been reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopy represents an excellent approach for the treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia. kaismz@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Kais
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maazoun
authors.forename: Mongi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mekki
authors.forename: Fatma Zohra
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Chioukh
authors.forename: Lassaad
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sahnoun
authors.forename: Amine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ksia
authors.forename: Riadh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jouini
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jallouli
authors.forename: Imed
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krichene
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belghith
authors.forename: Abdellatif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nouri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D004445:Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011677:Punctures; D013396:Suction
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole