A 20 Years Retrospective Descriptive Study of Human Cystic Echinococcosis and the Role of Albendazole Concurrent with Surgical Treatment: 2001–2021

BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst, caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most severe cestode infections occurring in Iran. The liver is the most commonly involved organ. The present study was carried out to review the demographic of 20 years surgically treated hydatic cysts. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients were enrolled in the study. Demographic features, time of surgery, cyst size, and albendazole usage have been reviewed from the medical records of patients in Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from 2001 to 2021. Statistical analysis was performed to find any correlation between the uses of concurrent albendazole with surgical procedure. RESULTS: Of 98 patients with hydatid cyst, 57 (58.2%) were female. The mean age of patients was 39.4 ±18.7 yrs, and the mean surgery time was 217.5 ± 81.4 minutes. Regarding the infection site, the liver (60.2%) and lungs (22.4%) were the most affected organs, respectively. 56.1% of patients had one cyst, and 42.9 % had two or more cysts. 20.4% of them had taken albendazole before surgery, but 86.7 % took it after the operation. No recurrent cysts were seen among 91.8% of them, but 8.2% mentioned suffering from a recurrent cyst. 85.7% of those recurrent cases did not receive albendazole before surgery, and 75% of recurrent cases after surgery did not take albendazole (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of albendazole before and after the operation was significantly related to reduced recurrence, bleeding, morbidity, and even the time of surgery.