Mebendazole and surgery for human hydatid disease in Turkana
French, C.M.
East African Medical Journal 61(2): 113-119
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 6468318 Document Number: 241238
The treatment of 516 patients with hydatid disease in the Turkana district of Kenya, from June 1976 to June 1982, is summarized. 131 patients received mebendazole with or without surgery and 302 underwent surgery only; 83 patients were unsuitable for surgery at a time when mebendazole was unavailable. Mebendazole appeared to improve the post-operative course, but too little time has elapsed for an assessment of its long-term effect. Surgery is apparently successful in about 50% of patients, 20% being unsuitable for surgery and recurrence occurring in the remaining 30%. Mebendazole reduced the recurrence rate and post-operative complications.