Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver in children. A report on 34 cases.
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.
Maazoun
Kais
K
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia. kaismz@yahoo.fr
Mekki
Mongi
M
Chioukh
Fatma Zohra
FZ
Sahnoun
Lassaad
L
Ksia
Amine
A
Jouini
Riadh
R
Jallouli
Mohamed
M
Krichene
Imed
I
Belghith
Mohsen
M
Nouri
Abdellatif
A
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
D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole