Laparoscopic management of parasitic liver cysts: A retrospective, comparative study

Introduction: Parasitic liver cysts are common in many areas of the world. In our country, hydatid disease is the commonest to cause cystic lesions. We reviewed our data to compare and analyze the outcome of laparoscopic management of these patients. This paper assesses the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic management of hepatic hydatid disease in a tertiary center in Egypt. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our operative and inpatient data at the National liver institute, Menoufia university, Egypt for clinical and operative, postoperative details patients with preoperative diagnoses of a hepatic hydatid disease starting from June 2012 to June 2015. Results: 47 patients had operative management for hepatic hydatid cystic lesions. Twenty seven patients had laparoscopic management and 20 patients were managed through open procedures. Operative procedure included endocystectomy in all laparoscopic cases and while three of the open group had liver resection in addition. Hospital stay was at a mean of 3 days for lap cases and 6 cases for open group. Complications included one cases of bile leak and minor wound infections in the open group. While there were no complications in in the lap group. Follow up showed occurrence of recurrence in two of the open group only. Conclusions: With conventional laparoscopic instruments, the laparoscopic approach in the management of hepatic hydatid cysts is safe and feasible even. It showed shorter operative time and hospital stay with relatively decreased postoperative complication rate.