Abstract:

Background: Hydatid disease (HD) is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The liver is involved in 50-70 % of the cases. Cystobiliary communication is the most common complication of hepatic hydatid cysts. Low frequency of the complications of liver hydatid disease is noted in children when compared to adult series with high mortality and morbidity.We present our experience of complications in childhood liver hydatid cyst disease and compare the results with adult series.Methods: Seventy four cases of HD have been evaluated retrospectively. The diagnosis of HD was made on the basis of radiologic imaging methods. The median follow-up period was 30 months.Results: There were 44 females and 30 males, age ranging from 2 to 15 years (mean 9.5 years). Overall 94 liver hydatid cysts in 74 patients were treated. Obstructive jaundice and signs of cholangitis were not noted preoperatively in our series. Recurrence of cyst was seen in three patients (4%). Prolonged bilier drainage was seen in one patient (1.3%). Four patients (5.4 %) of our series had biliary opening up tosize of 5 mm . Anaphlactic reaction was seen in one patient intraoperatively. There were no mortalities.Conclusion: Unlike adult series we did not encountered complicated cyst hydatid disease in childhood. Predictors of morbidity for liver hydatid cyst in adults like age, size of the cyst, location of the cyst are not valid predictors in children. Therefore surgeons must be avoid of surgical procedure in children especially at biliary system

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