title: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to treat hydatid disease of the thorax in adults: is it feasible?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optimal treatment of intrathoracic hydatid diseases in adults involves complete removal of the cyst with parenchyma-preserving surgery. In current practice, thoracotomy remains the standard surgical approach for pulmonary hydatid cysts, so surgical experience is limited, particularly with regard to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2007 and May 2011, a selected series of 12 adult patients presenting with intrathoracic hydatid cysts underwent VATS. The cysts were completely removed using a three-trocar technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete removal of the cysts was successful in all patients. All cysts were diagnosed by computerized tomography, and 6 (50%) patients had a history of hydatid disease in the liver or lung. No serious postoperative complications were observed. Patients with thoracoscopic excision were discharged after a median of 2.9 days (range, 2-6 days). No recurrences or complications were observed during a mean follow-up of 29 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the conversion and complication rates in our series, VATS should be the primary therapeutic choice for adults with thoracic hydatid cysts. Open surgical interventions in patients with large and uncomplicated cysts appear optional.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Baskent University, Adana, Turkey. alper73@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Findikcioglu
authors.forename: Sule
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karadayi
authors.forename: Dalokay
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kilic
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatiopoglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome