Hemoptysis as a Complication of Capitonnage for Management of Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst

The surgical approach to hydatid cyst of the lung is based on complete removal of the parasite, and management of the residual pericyst cavity. For the latter, capitonnage is a recognized method, by which the walls of the evacuated pericyst cavity are approximated with multiple sutures. Capitonnage without suturing and ligation of bronchial openings individually may lead to postoperative air leakage with resultant pneumothorax or pneumatocele. The pulmonary parenchyma may also become distorted. Herein, we report another complication of capitonnage: presence of large amounts of unabsorbed suture material acting as foreign body within the residual pericyst cavity, leading to chronic infection and hemoptysis.