Management for hydatid cysts of the lung ruptured in the pleural cavity.

Introduction: Our purpose is to report our experience in the management of pulmonary hydatid cysts ruptured in the pleura. Materiel and methods: We collected all records of patients with a ruptured hydatid cyst of the lung in the pleura who underwent surgery for this in the department of thoracic surgery of the CHU Hassan II of Fes during the 6-year period that started in 2010.

Results: The study included 20 men and 14 women with an average age of 30.44 ± 18.4 years. Radiological findings showed a hydropneumothorax in 21 cases, hydrothorax in 10, pachypleuritis in 29, and a floating membrane in 13 cases. In all cases, pleuropulmonary decortication was associated with pericystectomy in 20 cases and parenchymal resection in 3 cases. A hydatid membrane bathing in the pleural cavity was found in 32 cases. The postoperative course was uneventful in 28 cases.

Conclusion: Long-term follow-up should be established to detect possible recurrences or pleural dissemination, which appear to be prevented by long-term use of anthelmintic agents.