KUMJ | VOL. 17 | NO. 3 | ISSUE 67 | JULY-SEPT. 2019
Clinical Profile and Outcome of Surgery of Patients with Hydatid Cysts at the National Referral Hospital, Bhutan: An Observational Study
Kelzang S, Dorji T, Tenzin T
Abstract: Background
Hydatid disease a zoonosis caused by tapeworms (cestodes) of genus Echinococcus.
Humans acquire this infection by ingestion of eggs of Echinococcus from infected
dogs, sheep, goat, cattle or pigs. Hydatid cyst causes significant morbidity, mortality
and socioeconomic loss.
Objective
The objective of this study was to describe the clinical profile and short-term outcome
of surgical treatment of hydatidosis at Bhutan’s largest hospital.
Method
This was a descriptive study conducted among patients ≥ 18 years at the National
Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan from 01 January to 31 December 2017. Data
on pre-surgery treatment, type and outcome of surgery and histopathology were
collected. Data was entered analysed in EpiData. All variables are presented using
descriptive statistics. Ethics approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Board of
Health, Ministry of Health, Bhutan.
Result
There were 38 patients who underwent surgeries. The mean age of the sample was
36 (±17) years; cases were reported from almost all districts in the country. The most
common symptoms at presentation was abdominal pain (27, 71.4%), nausea (21,
55.3%), abdominal distension (16, 41.1%). The median duration of symptoms was
6.0 months (IQR 3.0, 12.0). Liver was involved in 36 patients (94.7%). All underwent
de-roofing and drainage through laparotomy (35; 92.1%), laparoscopy (2, 5.3%) or
throracotomy (1, 2.6%). Histopathologic confirmation was obtained in 28 patients
(73.7%). Twenty-three patients (60.5%) suffered from minor post-operative
complications.
Conclusion
Patients with hydatid cyst present with abdominal pain, nausea abdominal distension.
They suffer with symptoms for long periods till surgical treatment. The majority had
favourable outcomes of surgery.
Keyword : Infection, Neglected tropical disease, Parasites, Surgery Bhutan
