IS BILE SCOLECIDAL?

Spillage of scoleces is a major problem in surgery of hydatid cysts, because each of them may develop into a new cyst if it settles on a suitable site such as the peritoneum. Many surgeons believe that scoleces in ruptured hydatid cysts of the liver containing bile are not able to develop new cysts, because bile kills thein. In order to prove this idea, the viability of scoleces in such cysts was assessed and the effect of bile on live scoleces of unruptured liver cysts of sheep and human beings was also assessed in the laboratory. It was concluded that bile is not scolecidal, and an unfavorable environment is the cause of death bf the •scoleces. Scoleces in ruptured cysts may be alive and able to develop a new cyst. Therefore the surgeon should use all necessary precautions to prevent spillage.