Thirty-two patients had surgery for hepatic echinococcal cysts (HEC). Serious complications were observed in 16 patients (50%): cyst recurrence (n = 4), infected residual cyst cavity (n = 7), infected residual cyst cavity with biliary and duodenal fistulae (n = 2), recurrent biliary obstruction following open surgery for a ruptured HEC into the biliary tree (n = 2), delayed rupture of an HEC into the biliary tree following laparoscopic surgery with secondary biliary obstruction (n = 1). These major complications were successfully managed by percutaneous methods in 8 of 16 patients while antihelmintic therapy was sufficient in two patients with a small recurrent cyst and ERCP was used in one patient to relieve biliary obstruction. Surgery was required in two patients only. With a success rate of 87.5%, the nonsurgical approach is the preferred method for treating a post-surgical complication.

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