Hydatid Cyst

What is a Hydatid Cyst?

  • E. It is a disease in which cysts formed in various organs of the body by a parasite called granulosus are seen.
  • The most common cysts occur in the liver and lungs.
  • It is often seen in rural areas where livestock farming is done.
  • It is more common in people who come into contact with stray dogs.
This lung tomography shows 2 hydatid cysts in the right lung.

What is the Treatment of Lung Hydatid Cysts?

There are two treatment methods: medication (albendazole) and surgical removal of the cysts.

Surgical treatment is used much more frequently, since drug therapy does not provide complete healing of the cyst in every patient.

Pharmaceutical treatments are generally used to prevent recurrence in people with very common disease or after cyst surgery where surgical treatment is not possible.

Should a Hydatid Cyst Be Operated?

This parasitic disease reproduces by forming cysts. If hydatid cysts grow and multiply in the lung and spread to other organs (for example, liver, kidney, and brain), then they are less likely to be cured. Respiratory problems that they will cause, obstruction in the bile ducts in the liver, pressure on the brain can have important consequences. Therefore, the disease must be treated urgently. In cases where drug treatments do not improve, the cysts should be removed by surgery.

What do International Sources recommend?

For detailed information from the article titled ‘Resection of intrathoracic and subdiaphragmatic hydatid cysts’, click.

What are Hydatid Cyst Surgery Methods?

1. Open Surgery: In this method, the rib cage on the side of the disease is usually opened between the 5th and 6th ribs. The cyst or cysts are evacuated without damaging the lung tissue. In the meantime, necessary measures are taken to prevent the spread of the cyst into the chest cavity.

2. Closed Endoscopic Method: The endoscopic method is a surgical method performed without opening the chest cavity by using 5 or 10 millimeter blades.

Requires advanced experience.

Patient comfort is better after surgery.

For more information about endoscopic / closed surgery click here.

What are the Risks of Surgery?

The risk situation is closely related to the presence of disorders related to other organs (such as lung, liver, kidney, brain) where the cyst is present, the age and general condition of the patient, whether the cyst has burst or not, and its size. Post-operative conditions such as air leakage, infection, and prolonged draining may develop. These situations should be known in advance and the necessary precautions should be taken and the risks should be minimized.

How Many Days Should I Stay in the Hospital for Surgery?

Average hospital stay after hydatid cyst surgery is 3-4 days.