Management of Incidental Rupture of Abdominal Hydatid Cyst

Abstract

Abdominal hydatid cyst rupture is one of the critical situations which challenged the surgeon incidentally during explorative lobotomy for acute abdominal conditions. It is considered an endemic area for hydatid disease. To study and evaluate different modalities of surgical treatments used to deal with the incidental rupture of abdominal hydatid cyst. Patient and methodology: Patients (n=200) underwent surgical treatment for abdominal hydatid cysts in Al -Kindy teaching Hospital and Diala private hospital. A review was carried out from January 1996 to January 2006. About 18 patients (6%) had a rupture of abdominal hydatid cyst; in 15 patients (83.3%), the rupture was discovered incidentally during surgery for urgent acute abdomen, and 3 patients (16.7%) were detected clinically and using ultrasound. The median age was 32 years, and the female to male ratio was 2:1. 17 patients presented with signs & symptoms of acute abdomen. 11 patients presented with hypovolaemic shock after trauma to the liver (RTA in 9 patients, anaphylactic shock in 1 patient, allergic reaction in 1 patient). 4 patients presented with spontaneous rupture, 2 presented with secondary hydatidosis, and 1 presented with haematuria. Results: Twelve females and six males were affected. Rupture of abdominal hydatid cyst was diagnosed in only three patients by history, clinical examination, and ultrasound. At the same time, the other 15 patients were diagnosed during surgery. The mean hospital stay was 14 days. About 5 patients developed post-operative complications, i.e., wound infection (n=1), stress ulceration in the duodenum (n=1), subphrenic abscess (n=1), an infected remnant of hepatic hydatid cyst cavity (n=1), and recurrence of the hydatid cyst (n=1). Unfortunately, intra-operative mortality was recorded in 1 patient. The clinical diagnosis is usually tricky, but ultrasonography is an excellent initial diagnosis in suspected cases. Keywords: Surgical treatment, Incidental Ruptured Abdominal hydatid cyst, Traumatic rupture.