One-stage surgical procedure for bilateral lung and liver hydatid cysts

Background. Echinococcus disease is endemic in areas where livestock are raised in association with dogs. The majority of patients reporting in the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research have unilateral pulmonary hydatid disease. Methods. From March 1988 to May 1996 we came across 58 patients with pulmonary hydatidosis, of which 5 patients presented with combined bilateral pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts. In these patients, to avoid three-stage operation of two thoracotomies and a laparotomy, we proceeded with simultaneous combined resection of hydatid cysts in one stage through midsternotomy along with laparotomy or transdiaphragmatic removal of liver cysts. Results. Results indicate that combined resection of pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts is feasible with minimum morbidity and no recurrence. Conclusions. We conclude that a one-stage surgical procedure for bilateral lung and liver hydatid cysts is superior to the classic three-stage approach as it decreases morbidity, hospital stay, and cost.