Safety and efficacy of reduced-volume hepatectomy for advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of reduced volume hepatectomy in treatment of advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Methods The clinical data of 90 patients with advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis treated at the Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 41 males and 49 females, with an average age of 32 (range 11 to 58) years. The locations of the lesions, operations, complications and follow-up were analyzed. Results 90 patients were treated with reduced volume focal hepatectomy, 38 with radical resection and 52 with quasi radical resection. The operation time was (361±22) min. The hospital stay was (22±2) day, and the blood loss was (781±37) ml. Red blood cells were transfused in 19 patients and plasma in 39 patients. Pringle’s maneuver was used in 12 patients, regional hepatic blood flow occlusion in 42 patients, and Glisson sheath occlusion in 26 patients. The total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase returned to normal in 3 to 14 days after operation. There were 12 patients who developed bile leakage, 41 pleural effusion and 26 effusion in the operation sites. A total of ninety patients were followed up for 2 to 24 months. There was no recurrence of echinococcosis after radical resection and no enlargement of residual lesions after quasi-radical resection. Conclusion Reduced-volume hepatectomy reduced the risk and difficulty of operation. The follow-up results were good. This approach provides a feasible scheme for treatment of advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Key words: Echinococcosis, hepatic; Treatment outcome; Reduced-volume focal hepatectomy; Safety