Peritoneal hydatidosis. Report of 12 cases

Study aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to report on 12 cases of peritoneal hydatidosis observed in the same hospital from 1989 to 1998. Patients and methods: Four men and 8 women (mean age: 37 years) were includ ed in the study. Four of them had been operated on for liver hydatidosis, 3 to 9 years before. The peritoneal hydatidosis was asymptomatic (n = 2), re vealed by pain and/or fever (n = 9) and by hydatid peritonitis (n = 1). Dia gnosis was performed by ultrasonography in seven cases out of 10, Preoperat ive treatment with albendazole was given to one patient only during 1 month . All patients were operated on. Peritoneal cysts, with different locations , were secondary in 11 patients. Nine patients had concomitant liver hydati dosis and two concomitant retroperitoneal hydatidosis. Hydatid cysts were u sually stretilized with oxygen water and treated by resection of the protru ding dome. Postoperative treatment with albendazole was given to five patie nts. Results: Postoperative complications occurred in five patients: intestinal occlusion, abscess in a residual cavity, purulent fistulas, biliary fistula s with a favorable issue. With a mean 38-month follow-up, all patients were alive, with only one recurrence in a liver hydatid cyst. Conclusion: Peritoneal hydatidosis was secondary in 11 out of 12 patients. Diagnosis was performed with ultrasonography in seven out of 10 patients. A ll patients were operated on. With a mean follow-up of 38 months, only one recurrence has been observed. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.