Treatment of Hepatic Hydatid Disease: Role of Surgery, ERCP, and Percutaneous Drainage: A Retrospective Study

Historical changes in surgical strategy and complication management for hepatic cystic echinococcosis

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Escherichia larvae. It frequently involves the liver (70%-75%), followed by the lungs (15%-20%), and occasionally the brain, heart, spleen, bone, and other organs. The main pathogenic forms of human echinococcosis currently include cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE). CE is globally distributed, while the distribution of AE is generally restricted to the northern hemisphere. In China, CE accounts for 75% of all echinococcosis cases. With rapid advances in surgical techniques in recent decades, the surgical strategy for CE has changed, especially with the continuous improvement of surgical methods and the expansion of surgical contraindications. To further understand the changes in surgical treatment strategies for hepatic CE, we interpreted and analyzed the existing literature addressing the surgical treatment of hepatic CE both domestically and abroad and briefly summarized them in chronological order. This review aims to provide a deeper understanding of the progress in the surgical treatment of hepatic CE to provide clearer avenues for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Complication of Hepatic Hydatid Cyst Surgery Presenting as Obstructive Jaundice

The liver is the commonest organ affected by hydatid disease. We report a rare case of a 25-year-old female patient who was treated surgically for hepatic echinococcosis two weeks ago with laparoscopic excision of hepatic hydatid cyst with marsupialization and omentoplasty. She then presented with features of obstructive jaundice, which is a known complication following hydatid endocystectomy. Cholangiogram revealed a communication of the residual hydatid cyst with right segmental intrahepatic biliary radicals. She was treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided stenting. ERCP is regarded as an important therapeutic strategy for hydatid cysts occurring in the extra biliary tree either as primary or as complications of liver cysts. It facilitates the clearing of hydatid debris from the biliary tree, and the closure of fistulas and bile leaks followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy when the hydatid cysts are also located in the gallbladder.