Video-assisted thoracoscopic removal of pulmonary hydatid cysts†

Pulmonary hydatid disease is a parasitic disease with a high prevalence in low-middle income countries. We report four patients who were treated surgically using video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS). All patients were diagnosed with clinical and radiological findings on chest X-ray and computed tomography. Complete thoracoscopic removal by cystotomy and capitonnage was done in all four patients. The procedure included a standard thoracoscopy port incision and a 2-3 cm utility skin incision that was placed just superior to the cystic lesion. In the first case, a small-sized rib separator was used. The following three cases were operated without placing a rib separator on the utility incision. Conversion to open thoracotomy was not required. The average duration of the procedure was 90 min, and the average length of hospital stay was 4 days. No complications were observed after the thoracoscopic removal. At mean follow-up of 4 months, all patients were asymptomatic. VATS removal of the hydatid cysts can be done successfully in peripherally located cysts.