Management of residual cavity of liver hydatid cysts after partial cystectomy: which procedure for which patient?

Background Hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus remains an important and challenging medical problem. The most common location of the hydatid cysts is the liver. In this study, we present the experience in the management of hepatic hydatid cyst residual cavities, and we designed a management algorithm depending on the size and location of the cyst. Patients and methods This study was conducted in Cairo University Hospital, Egypt, and Al-Thawrah and Al-Kuwait Teaching Hospitals, Sana'a, Yemen, between March 2006 and February 2017. Only patients with single hydatid cyst in the liver were included in this study. Results All patients had endocystectomy and then were managed according to the size of the cyst as the proposed algorithm. Complicated cysts required external drainage, whereas uncomplicated cysts were classified into three groups according to their size (<7, 7-15, and >15 cm). Conclusion The surgical strategy for managing hepatic hydatid cysts is not yet standardized. The surgical procedure selected must be made according to the complications of the cyst and its size.