Albendazole as an adjuvant to the standard surgical management of hydatid cyst liver

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Background The treatment options for hydatid cyst liver include non-operative and operative methods. Operative methods include conservative and radical procedures. Non-operative methods include chemotherapy and percutaneous treatment of liver hydatidosis. Material and methods The study was conducted at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, India, over a period of two years from March 2001 to February 2003 with further follow-up of 5–6 years. The study included 64 cases in the age group of 15 years to 64 years, comprising 36 males and 28 females. The aim of the study was to know the effect of preoperative and postoperative albendazole therapy on the viability of protoscolices and recurrence rate of hydatid disease of liver. Patients were divided into four group of 16 each. In group A, patients were directly subjected to surgery. In group B, patients were given albendazole for 8 weeks followed by surgery. In group C, patients were given albendazole for 8 weeks preoperatively followed by further postoperative course for 8 weeks. In group D, patients were first taken for surgery followed by postoperative course of albendazole for 8 weeks. Results Out of those patients who received preoperative albendazole only 9.37% had viable cysts at the time of surgery as compared to 96.87% of patients who did not receive any preoperative albendazole. In those patients who did not receive any albendazole therapy, recurrence rate was 18.75% whereas recurrence was 4.16% in patients who received albendazole therapy. Conclusion We conclude that albendazole is safe and effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of hydatid liver disease.