Evaluating the trace elements in preoperative and postoperative duration of hydatid surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preoperative and postoperative values of serum levels of zinc, magnesium, and copper in patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE).

METHODS: This study was conducted on patients with CE between 2000-2005 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Cukurova, Adana, Turkey. Serum levels of zinc, copper, and magnesium of 85 patients with CE were measured both before and one year after the operation. Patients with liver CE (85 patients, 48 males) and healthy adults (40 adults, 17 males) as the control group were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS: When compared with the control group, the mean serum levels of zinc and magnesium were lower and the mean serum level of copper was higher in the preoperative period. It was found that as duration of symptoms increased, serum zinc and magnesium levels decreased and copper levels increased. The serum levels of these elements in postoperative and control patients after one year compared equally with the levels in the initial control.

CONCLUSION: The probability of increased consumption of zinc and magnesium and secretion of copper by the parasite may lead to evaluating the follow up of hydatid surgery in addition to radiological and serological methods.