Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the role, feasibility and safety of laparoscopy in the treatment of hydatid cyst of liver.
Patients and Methods
This prospective study included 53 patients and was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College Hospital and Hira Medical Centre, Sukkur, Pakistan from February 2009 to January 2012. All patients with hydatid cyst liver were managed laparoscopically by excision or de-roofing of cyst wall and evacuation of germinal membrane (daughter cysts) and fluid by 10mm sucker after injecting pure pyodine solution as a scolicidal agent. The cavity was then irrigated with normal saline and drain placed in it. The duration of surgery, morbidity, hospital stay and any recurrence were recorded to evaluate the efficacy, feasibility and safety of laparoscopic management of hydatid cyst liver. All were followed up at one month, three months and six months, then yearly by ultrasound and serology.
Results
There were 21 (39.62%) male and 32 (60.37%) female patients. The age ranged between 14-70 years (mean 43 year). The mean operative time was 50 minutes (range 45-110 minutes).The mean hospital stay was 2.5 days (range 1.5-3.5 days). Post-operative hematoma was found in one patient and collection with fever in two. Conversion to open surgery was done in two patients; in one patient due to bleeding and in other patient due to multiple cysts found incidentally. No recurrence was observed.
Conclusion
It is concluded that laparoscopic management of hydatid cyst liver is safe, feasible and effective in selected patients with low morbidity and early recovery. (Rawal Med J 2012;37:324-327).

Key words: Hepatic Hydatid cyst, laparoscopy, complications of hydatid cyst.