Capitonnage Method for Surgical Management of Pulmonary Hydatid Cysts: A Case Series

Abstract

Introduction

Hydatid disease of the lung, which is caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is commonly found in Mediterranean countries. Surgery is the primary mode of treatment for patients with pulmonary hydatid disease. This study aims to assess the efficacy of capitonnage in the management of the condition.

Methods

This retrospective study was done between February 2017 and December 2019, in Al-Jumhoory Teaching Hospital, Al-Khansaa Teaching Hospital, and Al-Rabee Private Hospital in Mosul, Iraq. Patients with different presentations of pulmonary hydatid disease were treated surgically with cyst enucleation and capitonnage technique.

Results

A total of 118 patients with pulmonary hydatid cyst cases were included in our study. There were 73 males and 45 females, with a mean age of 30 years. More than one-third (45 patients) were asymptomatic, and 73 complained of chest pain, cough, and/or respiratory distress. Other organs were involved in 27 patients, 22 in the liver, 3 in the spleen, and 2 in both. Forty-nine patients had intact cysts that were extracted intact, while the remaining 69 had ruptured cysts, and 6 patients of the latter group presented with pneumothorax. A small number of these patients developed prolonged air leakage, and the majority stayed in the hospital for one day. No death occurred in our study.

Conclusion

We concluded that when the capitonnage technique is used carefully on the foldings of pericystic tissue, the rate of atelectasis and distortion is very low and may be beneficial in reducing the risk of postoperative air leak.