During the 10-year period July 1977 to June 1987, 23 patients were referred to one surgical department with hepatic hydatid cysts. Accurate diagnosis in all but one case was possible by hydatid serology (hydatid immunoelectrophoresis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and ultrasonography or computed tomography which showed the presence of daughter cysts. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated the presence of hepatic-duct hydatid cysts in one case. The probable source of the hydatid infection was identified in all 23 cases. The surgical management was standardized and included the use of a suction cone to prevent spillage; the closure of biliary communications under vision; 0.5% silver nitrate solution as the scolicidal agent; primary closure of the residual cavity without drainage; omentoplasty for infected cysts; and bile-duct exploration and operative choledochoscopy for choledochal hydatid cysts. Two hepatic wedge resections were performed for hydatid cysts in a Riedel's lobe, but formal liver resection, in which normal liver tissue was sacrificed, was not necessary. There was no mortality and there were no postsurgical hepatobiliary complications such as biliary fistulas, biliary sepsis or jaundice. Three (13%) recurrences were recognized; all three recurrences occurred about five years after the removal of hydatid cysts with numerous daughter cysts, which were located in multiple cavities in both lobes of the liver. Postsurgical surveillance for several years by annual clinical review, hydatid immunoelectrophoresis testing and ultrasonography is recommended.