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

Objective: In this clinical retrospective study cystotomy and capitonnage were compared in patients with childhood pulmonary hydatid cysts with regard to postoperative period. Methods: Between 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). Results: There 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). Conclusion: Capitonnage for pulmonary hydatid cysts is superior to cystotomy because it reduces morbidity (especially prolonged air leak) and hospital stay.