Video-assisted thoracoscopic removal of pulmonary hydatid cysts.

OBJECTIVES Pulmonary hydatid disease is a parasitic disease with a high prevalence in low-middle income countries. We report four patients who were treated surgically using video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS). METHODS All patients were diagnosed with clinical and radiological findings on chest X-ray and computed tomography. Complete thoracoscopic removal by cystotomy and capitonnage was done in all four patients. The procedure included a standard thoracoscopy port incision and a 2-3 cm utility skin incision that was placed just superior to the cystic lesion. In the first case, a small-sized rib separator was used. The following three cases were operated without placing a rib separator on the utility incision. Conversion to open thoracotomy was not required. RESULTS The average duration of the procedure was 90 min, and the average length of hospital stay was 4 days. No complications were observed after the thoracoscopic removal. At mean follow-up of 4 months, all patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS VATS removal of the hydatid cysts can be done successfully in peripherally located cysts.