[Use of the CO2 laser in the surgical treatment of complicated echinococcosis of the liver].

The article discusses experience in the use of high-energy CO2 laser in the treatment of 108 patients with complicated forms of echinococcosis of the liver. The diagnostic efficacy of instrumental methods of examination is determined. The most informative are ultrasonic echolocation (96.8%) and computered tomography (100%). They allow exact localization of the cyst, which is important in the choice of the operative approach. The use of the laser for excising the fibrous capsule and treating the residual cavity makes is possible to: abandon the traditional methods for completing echinococcectomy (drainage of the residual cavity, marsupialization, capitonnage), exclude suppuration of the residual cavity, reduce markedly the period of the patient's hospitalization.