Radical surgery for liver hydatid disease: A study of 89 consecutive patients

Background/Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of radical surgery for liver hydatid disease. Materials and Methods: Hospital charts of 104 consecutive patients with liver hydatidosis observed in our unit during the period 1982-1994 were reviewed. A total of 121 cysts in 89 patients were treated surgically: with cystopericystectomy in 66 and liver resection in 23. Results: The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 19%: 19.7% and 17.1% after cystopericystectomy and liver resection respectively (p = 0.32). Overall postoperative mortality was 1%. Among the 72 patients available for follow-up, only one (1%) had a local recurrence of the disease. Conclusions: Results suggest the safety and efficacy of radical procedures in the surgical management of liver hydatid disease. Total cystopericystectomy is the treatment of choice but liver resection is justified in selected cases.