The effect of albendazole on the prevention of secondary hydatidosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Secondary hydatidosis and recurrence are serious complicat ions in hydatid surgery. Although medical treatment and current surgical te chniques are more effective in the prevention of cyst formation resulting f rom spillage of cystic liquid, secondary hydatidosis is still surgically im portant. Albendazole, a derivative of benzoimidazole, is the most commonly used drug in the medical treatment of echinococcosis. The effectiveness of pre-operative prolonged or single dose applications is supported by the lit erature. METHODOLOGY:, Twenty-two cases of hepatic hydatidosis are-evaluated and tre ated by surgery. Perioperative albendazole treatment was given in a dose of 12-15mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses. The treatment began 5-20 days before th e surgery and continued 3-7 months in a cyclic monthly form, until latex ag glutination tests were negative. In the postoperative period, hematological , ultrasonography and computed tomography scan evaluation was-carried out. The follow-up period for 21 patients was 6-31 months (mean: 20.52 months). RESULTS: There was no secondary hydatidosis, recurrence or mortality in thi s study. Early and late morbidity rates were 4.54% and 13.63% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that perioperative albendazole treatment i s effective in the prevention of secondary hydatidosis.