[Peritoneal hydatid cysts. Apropos of 12 cases].
STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to report on 12 cases of peritoneal hydatidosis observed in the same hospital from 1989 to 1998. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four men and 8 women (mean age: 37 years) were included in the study. Four of them had been operated on for liver hydatidosis, 3 to 9 years before. The peritoneal hydatidosis was asymptomatic (n = 2), revealed by pain and/or fever (n = 9) and by hydatid peritonitis (n = 1). Diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography in seven cases out of 10. Preoperative treatment with albendazole was given to one patient only during 1 month. All patients were operated on. Peritoneal cysts, with different locations, were secondary in 11 patients. Nine patients had concomitant liver hydatidosis and two concomitant retroperitoneal hydatidosis. Hydatid cysts were usually sterilized with oxygen water and treated by resection of the protruding dome. Postoperative treatment with albendazole was given to five patients. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in five patients: intestinal occlusion, abscess in a residual cavity, purulent fistulas, biliary fistulas with a favorable issue. With a mean 38-month follow-up, all patients were alive, with only one recurrence in a liver hydatid cyst. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal hydatidosis was secondary in 11 out of 12 patients. Diagnosis was performed with ultrasonography in seven out of 10 patients. All patients were operated on. With a mean follow-up of 38 months, only one recurrence has been observed.