Single approach to pulmonary and liver hydatid cysts

ABSTRACT Back ground: Hydatid cyst means cyst full of water. It is a parasitic disease caused by larval stage of small tape worm (Taenia Ecchinococcus), causing cyst formation in the liver and in the lung. It is endemic in Iraq. Aim: To illustrate how to make use of single surgical approach for the removal of pulmonary and liver Hydatid cysts. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study of 75 patients with pulmonary and liver hydatid cysts admitted and surgically managed at the Thoracic and Vascular Department of the Surgical specialties Hospital of the Medical City Teaching Hospital during twenty –year's period from January 2001 to the end of December 2020. Results: Fifty-one patients were female (68%), the remaining 24-patients were male (32%). The youngest patient was two –years old female child, presented with bilateral pulmonary and liver hydatid cysts, while the oldest patient was a 70-years old female. The most common symptoms were cough and dyspnea though some patients are completely asymptomatic. Plain chest X-ray is mandatory in addition to U/S abdomen for accurate localization of the liver Hydatid cyst. CT scan is also used for accurate diagnosis Conclusion: Surgery is the primary treatment for the concomitant right pulmonary hydatid cyst and liver, it should be approach by single right thoracotomy incision, and this will offers the best chance of cure. Highlights