SURGICAL THERAPY FOR PULMONARY HYDATIDOSIS

Surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatidosis varies from one country to another. Whereas some reports describe marsupialization of the residu al cavity others favor capitonnage (imbrication) to decrease complicat ions and hospital stay. Post operative complications and hospital stay were compared in a retrospective study of 53 patients treated surgica lly at the American University Hospital over a period of 10 years. For ty eight cysts were treated by evacuation after chemical sterilization , Fifteen were marsupialized and 33 were imbricated. Five were excised with lung parenchyma, 5 were delivered intact and one cyst was treate d by lobectomy. There was no postoperative mortality There was no stat istical difference in the hospital stay or the complication rate betwe en the marsupialized and imbricated cases. Both imbrication and marsup ialization are equally effective methods of treatment of pulmonary hyd atid cysts. Anatomic resection is rarely required.