PREOPERATIVE ALBENDAZOLE TREATMENT FOR LIVER HYDATID-DISEASE DECREASES THE VIABILITY OF THE CYST

Objective: Although in experimental models the efficacy of albendazole has been demonstrated, more clinical data are required. In this study , the effect of preoperative albendazole treatment was investigated in patients with liver hydatid cysts. Design: This is a prospective non- randomized study. Methods: In this study, the viability was assessed b y the gross appearance of the cyst and intracystic pressure (ICP). The study consisted of 70 patients with 89 liver hydatid cysts in two gro ups. The patients in the first group (n=29) received 10 mg/kg albendaz ole orally for 3 weeks before surgery. Thirty-five cysts were evaluate d in this group. The second group (n=41) with 54 liver hydatid cysts r eceived no preoperative treatment. Results: In the first group receivi ng preoperative albendazole, 20 cysts were viable and 15 non-viable. T he median ICP was 21 (range 8-56) cm H2O in viable and 0 (range 0-8) c m H2O in non-viable cysts. In the second group, 43 cysts were viable a nd 11 non-viable. The median ICP was 35 (range 8-75) cm H2O in viable and 0 (range 0-2) cm H2O in non-viable cysts. The ICP values of viable cysts in the first group receiving preoperative albendazole were sign ificantly lower (P<0.05). The number of non-viable cysts was also sign ificantly higher in the group treated with preoperative albendazole (P <0.05). Conclusion: Albendazole in this study has proved to be effecti ve in decreasing the viability of liver hydatid cysts when given for 3 weeks preoperatively.