Surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid disease in children: Report of 122cases

Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the authors' surgic al experience in pediatric pulmonary hydatid disease focusing on clinical p resentation, parenchyma saving operations, and long-term results. Methods: One hundred twenty-two children with pulmonary hydatid cyst were t reated surgically over the last 2 decades and were reviewed retrospectively There were 66 boys and 56 girls with a mean age of 9 years. Results: Pulmonary hydatid cyst was seen in 111 (91%) patients and pulmonar y and hepatic cysts in 11 (9%). Lateral thoracotomy was performed in 106 (8 7%) patients, thoracotomy and laparotomy in 6 (5%), median sternotomy in 5 (4%), lateral thoracotomy with phrenotomy in 4 (3%), and median sternotomy with phrenotomy in 1 (0.8%). Parenchyma-saving procedures were performed in 114 patients (93%) and lung resection in 8 (7%). There was no mortality. P ostoperative complication was seen in 5 patients (4%). Conclusions: Parenchyma-saving procedures without capitonnage are preferabl e. In patients with right or bilateral lung and coexisting cysts in the upp er part of the liver, thoracotomy or median sternotomy and transdiaphragmat ic approach allows the surgeon to remove the lung and liver cysts in a sing le operation. Median sternotomy is an alternative method for the bilateral lung hydatidosis compared with sequential thoracotomy. J Pediatr Surg 35:17 10-1713. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.