Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern and surgical management of hydatid disease.
Methods: A hospital based retrospective cross sectional analysis was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Hospital, department of surgery, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Patients' medical records and operation theater registers of 234 patients operated upon for hydatid disease between September 1995 and August 2005 were analyzed
Results: One hundred and twenty three patients were male and 111 female. Their age ranged from 13-69 years, with median and peak age of incidence of 30 and 21-30 years respectively. Hundred forty five (62.0%) patients were from rural population. Significant number of patients (40.6%) came from Oromiya regional state (p < 0.004). The most common presenting symptoms were pain in 206/234 (88.0%) patients with hydatidosis, mass or organomegally in 106/141(75.2%) patients with intraabdominal hydatid diseases, cough in 91.2% and expectoration in 83.3% of cases of thoracic hydatidosis. Liver and lung (79.6%) are the most commonly affected organs. More than one organ involvement was seen in 13.7% of cases. Ultrasonography and chest roentgenography were the main modalities of investigation of abdominal and thoracic hydatidosis respectively. Surgical techniques employed for removal of cysts was evacuation in 181 (67.3%). capitonnage in 167 (62.1%) and pericystectomy in 47 (17.5%) organs. In 191 (81.6%) patients the postoperative course was uneventful while 15.8% developed postoperative complications. There were six deaths. The follow up period ranged from 1 month to 3 years (mean 5.6 months).
Conclusion: Hydatidosis is not uncommon in rural communities of Ethiopia particularly in Oromiya. Complete excision of the disease processes with maximum preservation of tissue is safe and ideal for most patients with hydatidosis.