Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst in 72 Children

Authors

1 Department of Pediatric Surgery,

2 Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Mofid Chidlren's Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University, M.C, TEHRAN-IRAN.

3 Department of Pediatric Surgery

Abstract

Background: Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation which is endemic in many sheep and cattle raising areas (such as Iran) and is still an important health hazard in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment in patients with hydatid disease. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 72 consecutive patients who presented with pulmonary hydatid cyst to Mofid Children’s Hospital from 1992 to 2007. Patients’ medical records were reviewed and their gender, age, clinical features, cyst localization, diagnostic tools, operative techniques, pathologic report, morbidity and mortality, recurrence, hospital stay and outcome of treatment were evaluated. Results: The patient group consisted of 40(55.56%) boys and 32(44.44%) girls in the age range of 2 to 14 yrs. In general, 72 patients had a total of 87 cysts. Fifty-five patients (76.38%) had single cysts. Fifty-five lung cysts (63.21%) were in the right side, and 31(35.64%) were in the right lower lobe. Cough was the most common symptom and chest radiography gave a correct diagnosis in 68(94.44%) patients. Conservative surgical treatment was carried out in 70 children (97.22%). There were no mortality or recurrence in our cases. Conclusion: Due to the high accuracy of chest X-ray in diagnosis of lung hydatid cyst, it is the preferred method of diagnosis in endemic regions. Parenchyma-saving surgical procedures such as cystotomy and capitonnage as well as cyst delivering by lung expansion are the preferred methods of treatment for pulmonary hydatid disease in childhood. These methods are safe, reliable and successful. (Tanaffos 2009; 8 (1): 56-61)

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