SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION FOR COEXISTING LUNG AND LIVER HYDATID CYSTS - A TREATMENT MODALITY

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hydatid disease is very common in our region, Whether or not coexisting cysts of lung and liver should be operated on simul taneously is a challenging question. METHODOLOGY: Of 127 patients oper ated on for hydatid cysts of the lung between 1990 and 1995, 23 (18%) had coexisting hydatid cysts of the right lung and liver. There were 1 2 male and 11 female patients with an average age of 34 years. RESULTS : All patients had simultaneous operations for both organs via right t horacotomy with an incision in the diaphragm (phrenotomy). In the lung , cystotomy and capitonnage were performed in 21 patients and wedge re section in 2; in the liver, cystotomy and capitonnage were performed i n all 23 patients. No hospital mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: Coexist ing hydatid cysts of the right lung and liver should be surgically tre ated simultaneously.