[Hepatic hydatidosis. Radical vs. conservative surgery: 22 years of experience]

Abstract

Objectives: the incidence of hepatic hydatidosis has remarkably decreased in the last years due to the preventive measures adopted to stop the transmission of the parasite. However, surgery carries on being the treatment of choice, although the surgical procedure is still a matter of controversy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results obtained with the treatment of this condition after two decades according to surgical procedure type.

Material and methods: from 1983 to 2005, 372 patients were operated on for hepatic hydatidic cyst in Hospital Ramón y Cajal. Radical surgery was performed for 162 (43.5%) and conservative surgery for 210 (56.5%).

Results: average postoperative hospital stay (8.65 vs. 14.9 days), morbidity (13.3 vs. 31.4%, p < 0.001), and mortality (0 vs. 3.8%, p < 0.01) were lower in the radical surgery group. Recurrence rate was 1.85% after radical surgery versus 11.9% in the conservative surgery group (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: radical surgery is associated with lower morbidity, mortality, postoperative hospital stay, and recurrence rates, and represents the treatment of choice for hepatic hydatidosis. However, its indication must depend on the patient characteristics, cyst anatomy, and surgical team experience.