An Effective Omentoplasty Technique in Laparoscopic Surgery for Hydatid Disease of the Liver

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to investigate the characteristics and outcome of patients with hydatid disease of the liver who were laparoscopically managed at our clinic and to define technical details including an effective method of omentoplasty with helical fasteners. METHODS Between January 1998 and November 2000, 13 patients, mean age 36 years (range 23 to 63 years), with hydatid disease of the liver were considered for laparoscopic surgery in our department. All the patients underwent laparoscopic surgical interventions. RESULTS In all patients, laparoscopic cystotomy, unroofing, and omentoplasty with helical fasteners, which were originally designed for endoscopic hernia repair procedures, were performed. No conversion to laparotomy was necessary. In 1 case, with a single cyst in the right lobe, bile leakage was observed. No radiological recurrence was observed in an average follow-up of 17 months (range 4 to 36 months). CONCLUSIONS Obliteration of the residual cystic cavity decreases postoperative complication rates, so an effective omentoplasty is essential especially for laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopy is quite feasible to perform in hydatid disease of the liver, and the use of helical fasteners allows effective omental flap fixation.