Surgical strategies in the treatment of liver hydatid cyst

Abstract

AimHydatidosis is an endemic zoonosis that is prevalent in South America, specifically in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Liver hydatidosis (LH) is associated with morbidity and mortality due to evolutionary complications, as well as the risk of complications related to surgical procedures. The surgical treatment of LH can be divided into four phases: isolation of the surgical area, evacuation of the cyst, treatment of the complications of the cyst and treatment of the residual cavity. LH surgical procedures can be classified as conservative and radical. The aim of the present study was to present a general, evidence‐based overview of some surgical aspects of interest in the treatment of LH.Patients and MethodsAn overview was conducted. Articles published between 1990 and 2015 and related to results of surgery in patients with LH were evaluated. PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO and Trip Database were reviewed, and the results of surgery in LH patients were evaluated.ResultsA total of 301 articles were retrieved, 46 of which met the selection criteria (3 systematic reviews, 2 controlled trials, 5 cohorts studies, 12 observational studies and 24 case series). The studies had a level of evidence of 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a and 4 of prognostic and therapy scenarios.ConclusionsThe articles found were few and heterogeneous, making meaningful conclusions difficult. Studies with better levels of evidence, methodological quality and population size are needed to make conclusions and recommendations.