The role of combination preand postoperative albendazole therapy in the surgical management of liver hydatidosis

Abstract

AIMS: ALB is the most commonly used drug for the treatment of echinococcosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of ALB using the intraoperative and perioperative periods as dual therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Material of this retrospective study were the consecutive series of 98 patients operated for hepatic hydatidosis (HC) over a period of 7 years, at a single centre. Clinical examination, ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) were used for establishing diagnosis. Ninety-eight cases of hepatic hydatidosis were treated by albendazole intraoperatively and postoperatively together with surgery. Perioperative ALB treatment was given in a dose of 12-15 mg/ kg per day in four divided doses. The treatment started 2-28 days before the surgery when the diagnosis was established and continued for 2-24 months postoperatively in a cyclic monthly form. A total of 1.7 mg/mL ALB solution was used intraoperatively. Dual albendazole treatment (DALB) includes preoperative and postoperative oral ALB treatment and intraoperative irrigation of cystic cavity with ALB.

RESULTS: In the follow-up period one patient died and there was one recurrence of hepatic hydatidosis. Morbidity rates were 10.89%.

CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that ALB treatment with HC surgery is effective in the prevention of recurrences and/or secondary hydatidosis.