Historical changes in surgical strategy and complication management for hepatic cystic echinococcosis

Abstract

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Escherichia larvae. It frequently involves the liver (70%-75%), followed by the lungs (15%-20%), and occasionally the brain, heart, spleen, bone, and other organs. The main pathogenic forms of human echinococcosis currently include cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE). CE is globally distributed, while the distribution of AE is generally restricted to the northern hemisphere. In China, CE accounts for 75% of all echinococcosis cases. With rapid advances in surgical techniques in recent decades, the surgical strategy for CE has changed, especially with the continuous improvement of surgical methods and the expansion of surgical contraindications. To further understand the changes in surgical treatment strategies for hepatic CE, we interpreted and analyzed the existing literature addressing the surgical treatment of hepatic CE both domestically and abroad and briefly summarized them in chronological order. This review aims to provide a deeper understanding of the progress in the surgical treatment of hepatic CE to provide clearer avenues for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Echinococcosis; Hepatic cystic; Internal capsule; External capsule; Complication; Surgical excision

Core Tip: Many articles have been published on the surgical methods and postoperative complications of hepatic cystic echinococcosis (CE), especially regarding the relationship between surgical methods and patient prognosis. However, few studies have examined the historical changes in surgical methods for hepatic CE. Therefore, this review discusses the main surgical methods and complications in the treatment of hepatic CE over time to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the surgical treatment of this disease.