Background and aim: Surgery is the mainstay for treatment of liver hydatid cyst. Different surgical procedures have been suggested but it is important to select the most appropriate treatment to obtain the best results with the lowest rate of recurrence and minimal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early outcomes of open and laparoscopic surgery of hydatidosis. Materials and methods: In this study, 75 patients with uncomplicated liver hydatid cyst were prospectively assigned to either groups of laparoscopic surgery (37, 50.68%) or open procedure (36, 49.32%) during period of 2007–2012. Conversion to open surgery was required in two patients (2.67%) which excluded from the study. Patients were followed for about 17.86±17.64 months. Results: Participants included 73 patients of 49 (67.12%) female and 24 (32.88%) male with the mean age of 38.97±16.48 years. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups with regard to sex, occupation and mean diameter of the cysts. Bilious staining of the cyst content was seen in 23 (35.94%) patients during surgery and maximum diameter of 91 mm was considered as a cut point for predicting postoperative fistula with 69.2% sensitivity and 41.1% specificity. The mean duration of operation, postoperative pain, hospitalization time and time to return to work were significantly lower in laparoscopic group. Postoperative biliary fistula, cyst cavity infection and wound infection were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery seems to be effective and safe with low morbidity rates for uncomplicated cysts in accessible segments of the liver. Keywords: Echinococcosis, Hepatic; Laparoscopy; Open Surgery; Treatment Outcome

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