Table 3 Main methodological characteristics of randomized controlled trials included in the quantitative analysis (meta-analysis)

Bildik N, et al. 2007 [33]

Kartal-Istanbul, Turkey

To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative ABZ therapy

A randomized controlled trial

1998–2003

Patients with isolated hydatid cysts of the liver

84

84

Group I

Group II

Group III

n = 21

No.cyst = 21

n = 21

No.cyst = 21

n = 21

No.cyst = 21

Cobo F, et al. 1998 [9]

Pamplona-Navarra, Spain

To compare the effects of a combined medication of ABZ plus PZQ vs ABZ alone in the preoperative treatment

A randomized controlled trial

1990–1997

Patients with intra-abdominal hydatidosis

62 → 47

No data

Group I

Group II

Group III

19 → 12

6/6

47.9 (19–67)

1.17(1–3)

17 → 14

11/3

51.1 (31–70)

1.57 (1–4)

26 → 21

9/12

46.9 (18–75)

1.43 (1–5)

Davis A, et al. 1986 [34]

WHO, Geneva, Switzerland

First phase: Studies coordinated by the WHO were conducted in seven clinical centers on the chemotherapy of human echinococcosis with MBZ, ABZ and FBZ.

A multicenter randomized clinical trials (5 clinical centers, Beirut, Paris, Rome, Sofia and Zurich)

1982–1984

Adults patients, mainly, only 7% below 15 years

121

121

MBZ

FBZ

ABZ

85

38/47

348

6

3/3

18

30

22/8

36

Davis A, et al. 1989 [35]

WHO, Geneva, Switzerland

Second phase: To value the efficacy of ABZ and MBZ in human CE coordinated by WHO.

A multicenter randomized clinical trials (4 clinical centers, Beirut, Paris, Rome and Sofia)

1985–1987

Adults patients, mainly, only 4% below 15 years

176 → 112

106

ABZ

67

27/40

21

46

76

Franchi C, et al. 1999 [36]

Rome, Italy

To evaluate the results obtained during long-term follow-up of a series of patients treated with benzimidazole carbamate

A randomized controlled trial

1982–1997

Patients with hydatidosis located in various body organs

448

929

n

No.cyst

Gil-Grande LA, et al. 1993 [37]

Madrid, Spain

To assess the efficacy and safety of ABZ in a medical treatment

A randomized controlled trial

1987–1991

Patients with intra-abdominal hydatid disease

66 → 55

55

Group B

Control gr.

n

Sex (M/F)

Age (yr, mean ± SD)

No.cyst

19

12/7

47.3 ± 13.9

19

18

9/9

41.2 ± 17.3

18

Keshmiri M, et al. 1999 [38]

Mashhad, Iran

To compare the effects of ABZ vs placebo in the treatment of hydatid cysts

A triple-blind parallel randomized clinical trial

1994–1995

Patients with hydatid cysts of the lung/pulmonary echinococcosis

20^{All p.}

15^Treat.

179^{All p.}

150^Treat.

All p.^d

Treat.^d

All p.^d

Treat.^d

n

Sex (M/F)

Age (yr, mean ± SD)

No.cyst

Cyst/patient

14

8/6

41 ± 15

137

12.2 ± 13.4

11

5/6

40 ± 17

124

16.3 ± 13.9

6

3/3

39 ± 17

42

10.8 ± 13.7

4

3/1

45 ± 17

26

8.8 ± 7.6

Keshmiri M, et al. 2001 [39]

Mashhad, Iran

To evaluate the effect of ABZ on hydatid disease

A double-blind parallel-group randomized clinical trial

1994–1995

Patients with hydatid cysts of the lung and abdomen (including liver)

29^{All p.}

21^Treat.

240 ^{All p.}

203^Treat.

All p.^d

Treat.^d

All p.^d

Treat.^d

n

Sex (M/F)

Age (yr, mean ± SD)

No.cyst

Cyst/patient

22

11/11

41.4 ± 15.9

191

8.6 ± 9.0

17

7/10

40.5 ± 17.3

172

9.8 ± 9.9

7

4/3

35.4 ± 18.3

49

7.1 ± 6.5

4

3/1

45.5 ± 17.4

31

7.8 ± 6.1

Khuroo MS, et al. 1993 [40]

Srinagar, Kashmir, India

To compare the safety and efficacy of percutaneous drainage (PD) with ABZ therapy

A randomized controlled trial

1989–1992

Patients with hepatic hydatid cysts

30

33

ABZ-PD

ABZ

n

Sex (M/F)

Age (yr, mean ± SD)

(Range age)

No.cyst

Size Ø (cm, mean ± SD)

Volume (cm³, mean ± SD)

10

3/7

41.3 ± 14.9

(12–64)

12

10.8 ± 3.0

835 ± 528

10

4/6

39.5 ± 14.4

(18–60)

11

8.8 ± 4.5

642 ± 717

Mohamed AE, et al. 1998 [8]

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

To evaluate the effect of different regimens of medical treatment

Two prospective randomized intervention studies

1st study, 1985–1990

2nd study, 1990–1998

Adult Saudi patients with hydatid disease at the Armed Forces Hospital

1st, 22

2nd, 19,

Total,41

No data

Shams-UI-Bari, et al. 2011 [41]

Srinagar, Kashmir, India

To assess the effect of preoperative ABZ therapy on the viability of protoscoleces at the time of surgery

A randomized controlled trial

2002–2003 + follow-up 5 years

Patients with diagnosis of hydatid liver disease

72

72

n

Sex (M/F)

Age (yr, mean ± SD[range])

No.cyst