Laparoscopic Management of Abdominal Echinococcosis: A Technical Report on Surgical Techniques and Outcomes

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 3; p. e56130
• Main Authors: Slavu, Iulian M, Munteanu, Octavian, Gheorghita, Valeriu, Filipoiu, Florin, Ursuț, Bogdan, Tulin, Raluca, Dima, Ileana, Dogaru, Iulian A, Tulin, Adrian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 01-03-2024
• Subjects: Abdomen; Anaphylaxis; Asymptomatic; Cysts; Dissection; Laparoscopy; Parasites; Silicones; Surgery; Surgical outcomes; United States > US; Maryland; laparoscopy; general surgery; infectious; medicine; parasitology
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56130

This technical report explores the efficacy and methodology of laparoscopic surgery for treating abdominal echinococcosis, a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus. We highlight the zoonotic nature of the disease, which predominantly affects the liver and occasionally other organs, noting the challenge of its asymptomatic progression that complicates timely diagnosis and intervention. We detail our surgical technique using a standard laparoscopy kit to address abdominal hydatid cysts, emphasizing the critical importance of preventing cyst rupture and spillage to avoid recurrence and anaphylactic shock. We discuss considerations for opting for laparoscopy over open surgery, such as reduced postoperative morbidity, faster patient recovery, and lower costs, while also acknowledging limitations like restricted instrument movement and the absence of haptic feedback. We advocate hypertonic saline as the preferred scolicidal agent and strategies to minimize spillage and manage the residual cavity. In conclusion, we assert that laparoscopy offers a viable and effective treatment option for abdominal echinococcosis, emphasizing that optimizing outcomes for this benign condition hinges on careful patient selection and a conservative surgical approach.