[Our experience with the treatment of cavitary and external biliary fistulas following surgical operations for hepatic echinococcosis]. / La nostra esperienza sul trattamento delle fistole cavitarie e biliari esterne consecutive ad interventi chirurgici per echinococco epatico

Successful treatment of five personal cases of external cavitary and biliary fistulae following radical liver hydatid surgery is reported. Stress is laid on the fact that complications may still occur, even when the latest techniques are employed. These can be avoided if the pathological anatomy and biliary physiopathology associated with the disease are fully understood, so that techniques can be adjusted to the different situations revealed by pre- and intraoperative exploration. Medical or surgical management must be preceded by precise knowledge of the reasons for persistence of the fistula.