ISSN : 1301-5680
e-ISSN : 2149-8156
Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery     
Surgical treatment of giant hydatid cysts in childhood
Recep Demirhan1, Burak Onan1, Hakan Kıral2, İrfan Yalçınkaya2
1Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Göğüs Cerrahi Kliniği, İstanbul
2Süreyyapaşa Göğüs Hastalıkları ve Göğüs Cerrahisi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Göğüs Cerrahisi Kliniği, İstanbul
Background: In this study, we present clinical management approaches in the treatment of giant hydatid cyst disease of the lungs in childhood.

Methods: Between June 1997 and January 2008, 104 patients were operated on for hydatid cysts of the lungs. Twenty of these patients (12 boys, 8 girls; mean age 12.4 years; range 6 to 15 years) in whom cysts measured above 10 cm in any diameter and who were in the pediatric age group were retrospectively evaluated. The main complaints in all cases were nonspecific respiratory symptoms such as dry cough, chest pain and weakness. Chest computed tomography was the most specific diagnostic modality.

Results: Giant hydatid cysts were mostly observed in the right lung. Muscle sparing thoracotomy was performed in all cases. Procedures included cystotomy-capitonage in 14 (70%) patients, cystotomy in five (25%) patients and enucleation in one (5%). There was no operative mortality, but complications were observed in five (25%) patients; prolonged air leak in three cases, and pneumonia and pleural empyema in one case each. In one patient with an air leak beyond 10 days, re-thoracotomy was performed with favorable outcome.

Conclusion: The treatment of choice for giant hydatic cyst disease of the lungs in childhood is surgery. Though the possibility of postoperative complications is greater than for simple cysts of the lungs, the benefits of surgical treatment remain high.

Keywords : Childhood; giant hydatid cyst; hydatid cyst of the lungs
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