Effect of capitonnage and cystotomy on outcome of childhood pulmonary hydatid cysts

ObjectiveIn this clinical retrospective study cystotomy and capitonnage were compared in patients with childhood pulmonary hydatid cysts with regard to postoperative period.MethodsBetween 1990 and 2004, 60 children with pulmonary hydatid cysts were treated surgically. There were 33 boys and 27 girls aged from 3 to 16 years. Cystotomy and closure of bronchial openings were performed in all patients. The patients were divided into 2 groups. While the residual cyst cavity was closed by means of capitonnage in group A (n = 37), cystotomy was applied in group B (n = 23).ResultsThere was no mortality in either group. Chest tubes were removed after 3.59 ± 1.04 days in group A and 5.83 ± 2.84 days in group B. The hospital stay was 4.86 ± 1.43 days for group A and 7.22 ± 3.34 days for group B. Prolonged air leak was found in 2 children in group A and 7 children in group B. There was a significant difference between group A and group B with regard to chest tube removal time (P = .001), hospital stay (P = .003), development of prolonged air leak (P = .004), and all complications (P = .031). Follow-up information was available for 49 children, ranging from 13 to 86 months (mean, 56 months). Recurrence was seen in 2 children of group A and 1 child of group B during the follow-up period (P = .698).ConclusionCapitonnage for pulmonary hydatid cysts is superior to cystotomy because it reduces morbidity (especially prolonged air leak) and hospital stay.