BACKGROUND: Surgical management is the basic treatment for hydatid disease. Overall, the recurrence rate appears to be high (4.6%-22.0%). The purpose of this study was to report our results in the management of recurrent hydatid disease, evaluating the methods for identifying recurrence, prognostic factors and therapeutic options.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent surgery for cystic hydatidosis between 1970 and 2003.RESULTS: Of the 584 patients who underwent surgery during our study period, follow-up was complete for 484 (82.8%). Cysts recurred in 51 patients (8.7%). Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography appeared to be efficient for diagnosing recurrence. The 2 most important determinants for recurrence were minute spillage of the hydatid cyst and inadequate treatment owing to missing cysts or incomplete pericystectomy. All but 2 recurrences required surgery. There were 14 postoperative complications for a rate of 27.0%. Thirteen re-recurrences were observed in the follow-up of these patients and also required surgery.CONCLUSION: Avoidance of minute spillage of cyst contents and cautious removal of the parasite with as much of the pericyst as possible are fundamental objectives of primary-hydatid surgery. Conservative surgery (removal of the cyst contents plus partial pericystectomy with drainage when necessary) plus chemotherapy and local sterilization is suggested for both primary and secondary operations and appears to achieve satisfactory longterm results. Radical surgery (resection, cystopericystectomy) is preferred only in select patients.