Pneumonostomy in the surgical management of bilateral hydatid cysts of thelung

During the period 1994-1998, three patients with bilateral hydatid cysts of the lung (HCL) underwent operative removal of the cysts. In three of the s ix lungs operated upon the conventional technique was used: after removal o f the cyst and suture closure of bronchial leaks, the chest was closed with an intercostal drainage tube. Two of these patients developed bronchopleur al fistulae requiring rethoracotomy and prolonged hospital stays. The other three lungs were operated upon using the pneumonostomy technique: after ex cision of the cyst a separate catheter is fixed within the residual lung ca vity and brought out through the adjacent chest wall, effectively marsupial ising the residual cavity to the atmosphere. All these patients had an unev entful postoperative recovery. We conclude that the pneumonostomy technique is a very useful method of treating HCL surgically, especially when the cy sts are bilateral and complicated.