Effective factors on the disappearance of residual cavity following conservative surgery of liver hydatid cysts

Surgery is one of the treatments commonly used to treat liver hydatid cyst. Remaining of the residual cavity after conservative surgery may lead to some harmful complications. In this study, we evaluated the role of different factors affecting the disappearance of the residual cyst.

Seventy‑five patients were evaluated in 2.5 years. Patients were divided into two groups based on the remaining or disappearance of the residual cavity in follow‑up visits. The baseline demographic features, preoperative cysts’ size, type of technique used to eliminate the residual cavity, and cavity wall characteristics were compared in the two groups.

Residual cavity was disappeared in 46 (61%) patients after 2 years. Calcification of the wall and wall stiffness were more common in patients with the remained residual cavity (89.6% vs. 8.7% [ P < 0.001] and 58.6% vs. 30.4% [ P < 0.01], respectively). Demographic features, preoperative cysts’ characteristics, and the procedure used during surgery were not statistically different between groups.

Cyst wall calcification and wall stiffness had a role in predicting residual cavity disappearance. These factors can help surgeons to predict patients at higher risk of posthydatid cyst resection residual cavity.