Echinococcus Granulosis Cyst of the Liver: Treatment with Laparoscopy

ABSTRACT Hydatidosis is endemic in Morocco, where the liver is the most frequently involved. Conservative treatment of this entity is possible by laparoscopy. Ten patients with hepatic hydatid cysts have benefited from videosurgery at the children's hospital of Rabat, Morocco, between September 1998 and April 1999. The hydatid fluid is aspirated percutaneously under visual control. Hypertonic saline (30%) is injected in the cyst cavity, and the proligerous membrane is isolated in a plastic bag and removed via the umbilical incision. The average hospitalization is about 5 days. There have been no deaths or recurrences with a follow-up of 6 to 18 months. The authors conclude that videosurgery achieves satisfactory results in the treatment of hepatic hyadatidosis in children.