Hydatid Cyst of the Liver

What is a hydatid cyst if the liver?

This procedure involves the surgical removal or drainage of a liver cyst which contains parasites (a hydatid cyst).

Anaesthetic

This procedure will require an anaesthetic.

What are the risks of this specific procedure?

There are risks and complications with this procedure.
They include but are not limited to the following:

General risks:

• Infection can occur, requiring antibiotics and further treatment.
• Bleeding could occur and may require a return to the operating room. Bleeding is more common if you have been taking blood thinning drugs such as Warfarin, Asprin, Clopidogrel (Plavix or Iscover) or Dipyridamole (Persantin or Asasantin).
• Small areas of the lung can collapse, increasing the risk of chest infection. This may need antibiotics and physiotherapy.
• Increased risk in obese people of wound infection, chest infection, heart and lung complications, and thrombosis.
• Heart attack or stroke could occur due to the strain on the heart.
• Blood clot in the leg (DVT) causing pain and swelling. In rare cases, part of the clot may break off and go to the lungs.
• Death as a result of this procedure is possible

Specific risks:

• Difficulty passing urine after the operation and may need a catheter passed into the bladder, until the bladder can empty normally.
• Deep bleeding in the abdominal cavity could occur and this may need fluid replacement or further surgery.
• Infections such as pus collections can occur in the abdominal cavity. This may need surgical drainage.
• Bile can leak from the liver and cause problems needing drainage or further surgery.
• The bowel movement may be paralyzed or blocked after surgery and this may cause building up of fluid in the bowel with bloating of the abdomen and vomiting. Further treatment may be necessary for this.
• A weakness can occur in the wound with the development of a hernia (rupture). Further surgery may be needed to correct this.
• Adhesions (bands of scar tissue) may form and cause bowel obstruction. This can be a short term or a long term complication and may need further surgery.
• Increased risk in smokers of wound and chest infections, heart and lung complications and thrombosis.