A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included no randomised clinical trials comparing puncture, aspiration, injection, and re-aspiration (PAIR) method versus no or sham intervention. Of the two other randomised trials, one compared PAIR versus surgical treatment (n=50) and another compared PAIR (with or without albendazole) versus albendazole alone (n=30). Compared to surgery, PAIR plus albendazole obtain similar cyst disappearance and mean cyst diameter with fewer adverse events (32% versus 84%, P < 0.001) and fewer days in hospital (mean ± SD) ( 4.2 ± 1.5 versus 12.7 ± 6.5 days, P < 0.001). Compared to albendazole, PAIR with or without albendazole obtain significantly more often (P < 0.01) cyst reduction and symptomatic relief.
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