Hydatid cysts result from a parasitic infection caused by tapeworm. It is commonly known as “echinococcosis”. Echinococcosis results from exposure to food and water contaminated by the feces of an infected definitive host. Poor hygiene also contributes towards spreading this.
Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cysts follows the primary surgery principles of treating liver hydatid cysts, that is, removal of the active cyst materials, preventing the content to spill around the surgery site, sterilizing the cavity using scolicidal agents and managing the residual cavity. Laparoscopic surgery for hydatid cysts eliminates the cons of large open surgical incisions and significantly reduces the time a patient stays in the hospital. But, patients should be aware that Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cysts cannot do away with disease-related complications.
Laparoscopic surgery for hydatid cysts can be recommended if a doctor notices the following:
Laparoscopic surgery for hydatid cysts has numerous advantages compared to traditional surgery, which is usually performed via large incisions. After undergoing Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cysts, the patient usually experiences less pain and requires less pain medication. Laparoscopic treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts allows the patient to get out of bed and start walking around sooner and also resume normal activities much earlier. This helps the patient to prevent blood clots as well as pneumonia.
Traditional surgeries usually restrict the patients in their activities after they are discharged since the patients try to prevent the risk of developing an incisional hernia. Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cysts on the other hand rarely cause incisional hernias and allow patients to begin exercising and lifting heavy objects soon. Since small incisions are made during Laparoscopic treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts, there are fewer chances of the patient developing wound infections. Also, after undergoing a laparoscopic surgery, a patient can eat and drink much earlier than after undergoing an open surgery. Once the incisions are healed, the scars are nearly invisible.
Laparoscopic surgery for hydatid cysts does not require the patient to stay in the hospital for long after the surgery. Mostly, a patient is discharged the following day after a successful Laparoscopic surgery of hydatid cysts. This, in turn, reduces the cost which would have been incurred if the patient stayed in hospital for a longer period.
Complications after laparoscopic surgery of hydatid cysts are rare occurrences. Trocar-site infection rarely happens. However, the surgeon should exercise caution to avoid injuring the biliary and vascular structures.
Also, spillage of cyst contents into the peritoneal cavity, which can cause anaphylaxis, should be avoided.
After laparoscopic surgery of hydatid cysts surgery, the patient is taken to a post-anesthesia care unit until the anesthesia wears off. The patient is then monitored closely by the nursing team until he or she stabilizes. Before the patient leaves the post-anesthesia care unit, he or she must be fully awake and coherent.
Once the patient is discharged, they should be assisted when climbing stairs. They can be allowed to use the stairs if they feel comfortable and able to do that.
The patient should start doing light exercises after the surgery. They should start exercising slowly and increase gradually after they have completely recovered. Driving should start after the patient stops taking pain medication and if the patient feels that he or she is strong enough.
The incisions should be kept clean and dry, and no special ointments or creams are required. The incisions are usually closed with stitches beneath the skin, which dissolve on their own. Then, a surgical-grade liquid band-aid is used to cover the incision. The band-aid protects the incision and should stay in place in place for at least 2 weeks or more. The band-aid can be removed with soap and water after two weeks. The band-aid contains an antibiotic, which prevents wound infection. Small bleeding around the incision site is not uncommon. If the bleeding persists, the patient should seek immediate medical attention.
A patient should set follow-up appointments with the doctor within two weeks and also after six weeks to allow the doctor assess whether there are any visible symptoms and complications. In case of any complication, the doctor can order radiographic tests to be done.
Laparoscopic Treatment of Hydatid Cyst Cost can vary depending on the hospital, type of room selected and duration of stay in the hospital. The average cost of laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cyst also depends on duration of surgery. Some insurance companies do cover the Cost of Laparoscopic Treatment of Hepatic Hydatid Cysts, and this makes Laparoscopic Treatment of Hepatic Hydatid Cysts Cost for the patient go down significantly.
Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker is an accomplished Bariatric Surgeon and Laparoscopic GI Surgeon. Extremely passionate about her field of specialization. She completed her MBBS and MS in General Surgery in 2006, from Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), Sewagram. Set up in 1967 by none other than the first health minister of India, Ms. Sushila Nayar, MGIMS is deeply rooted in Gandhian ethics. Read more