Evaluation of the factors influencing the choice of laparoscopic echinococcectomy in liver echinococcosis (LE) and its impact on postoperative outcomes

The aim of this article is to evaluate the factors influencing the choice of laparoscopic echinococcectomy (LapEE) in liver echinococcosis (LE) and its impact on postoperative outcomes. The article presents a retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of LapEE depending on gender, age, cyst location, size and stage of echinococcal cysts (EC) development, also taking into account the performance of drainage or abdominal interventions in relation to the residual cavity (RC). The study included patients with the primary form of LE - 46 patients who underwent LapEE at the State Institution "Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Surgery, named after the academician V. Vakhidov", between 2019 and 2020. Taking into account the stage of cyst development, various difficulties with aspiration or removal of the cyst contents occurred in only 14 (30.4%) cases, more often with type II-IV cystic echinococcosis (CE). Another problem was the difficulty with adequate revision and treatment of RC (in 6 (13.0%) patients) with predominantly intraparenchymal localization. Difficulties with performing percytectomy with sufficient excision of the fibrous capsule were noted in 9 (19.6%) cases. In the period up to a week after the operation, the drainage was removed for cysts up to 8 cm in 11 (36.7%) cases, with more than 8 cm - in 5 (31.3%). By 3 weeks of observation, the drains were removed in all cases with cysts up to 8 cm, while with large sizes in 12.5% (2 patients) cases, the drainage was removed on days 21-28 and in 1 (6.3%) patient at a later period. In general, in the group, complications from the RC on days 9-27 after LapEE were noted in 10 (21.7%) of 46 patients, fluid accumulation in 8 (17.4%) and suppuration in 2 (4.3%). Most complications were resolved conservatively - 13.0% (in 6 patients), a minimal invasive drainage of the RC was performed in 6.5% (3 patients), 1 (2.2%) patient was operated on with a RC abscess. Among the main factors that technically complicate LapEE, in addition to localization, difficulties with aspiration or removal of cyst contents in CE II, III, and IV are highlighted due to the presence of many daughter cysts that completely fill the maternal membrane (CE II, III) or thick viscous discharge (CE IV), as well as difficulties in performing a pericystectomy for adequate elimination of the RC when the hydatid is located 3/4 or more in the liver parenchyma.