Splenic-preserving surgery in hydatid spleen: a single institutional experience

Abstract

Though hydatid disease affects many organs in the human body, splenic hydatid accounts for approximately 0.8-4% of all human echinococcosis cases. Up to recently, splenectomy was the preferred surgery for hydatid spleen. Since 1980, conservative options to treat such a disease have become more and more prevalent. Our study aimed to assess our experience in open splenic preservative surgery for splenic hydatid in a single institutional center. Our retrospective research included ten patients with splenic hydatid operated between August 2013 and January 2018 at our medical center. The spleen was affected alone in seven cases, the liver and spleen were affected in three cases, and one of the patients had intra-peritoneal cyst disease. The diagnosis was confirmed primarily by ultrasonography. In some instances, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were required. A chest x-ray was performed to rule out pulmonary hydatid in all patients. Open surgery procedure, field isolation, cystic fluid aspiration, and injection of 1% cetrimide solution, respiration, endocystectomy, suture of cystic edges to the intracystic tube drain were performed. All surgeries had albendazole before and after the operation 15 mg/kg/day. There were no significant intra or postoperative complications, and no further surgery was required. Patients remained hospitalized for 3-5 days. No recurrence after 1-3 follow-up years. However, three patients failed to follow up within two years. Our experience with splenic hydatids prompts us to use splenic conservation surgery whenever possible instead of splenectomy.

Keywords: echinococcosis; hydatid cyst; preserving spleen; spleen; splenectomy.