Factors Associated with Hospital Length of Stay in Patients with Thoracic Hydatid Cyst Disease Undergoing Surgical Intervention: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background Hydatid cyst (HC) frequently affects the lungs, making it the second most common site after the liver. This Study evaluating clinical characteristics, surgical approaches, complications, lab findings, and factors influencing hospital LOS in patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts requiring surgery. Methods This retrospective observational study enrolled adult patients who underwent surgery for lung HC between 2017 and 2021. Data were collected using a standardized checklist that included demographics, medical history, laboratory findings, treatment details, surgical characteristics, and risk factors. The primary outcome was LOS. Potential influencing factors included demographics, preoperative symptoms, albendazole use, cyst location and size, extrapulmonary involvement, surgical approach, laboratory findings, and postoperative complications. Results A retrospective analysis of 214 patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts identified a male predominance (59.3%; median age, 36 years). Most patients (58.9%) were aged 20–40 and resided in urban areas (65.4%). A history of dog exposure was reported in 25.2% of patients, right lower lobe involvement (51.4%), and synchronous liver cysts in 13.6% of patients. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), positive serology, eosinophilia, prolonged air leak (> 5 days), and fever predicted longer hospital stays. Cough (39.3%) was the most common symptom. Cystotomy with capitonnage (95.8%) was the dominant surgical approach. Conclusions This study identified elevated ESR, eosinophilia, positive serology, air leak persisting beyond 5 days, and fever as independent predictors of prolonged hospital stay.