Abstract: Objective To study the methods for intraoperative treatment of the cyst contents in patients with abdominal echinococcosis.Methods Sixty-nine cases of abdominal echinococcosis were reviewed for intraoperative disposal of the cyst contents using 5% formaldehyde (group A, 33 cases) or 25% NaCl solution (group B, 36 cases), and the effects and incidence of complications were compared.Results No relapse occurred in 33 cases with 5% formaldehyde treatment of the cyst contents, but postoperative intestinal fistula took place in 8 cases. In 36 cases with 25% NaCl treatment of the cyst contents, relapse occurred in one case postoperatively but no complications were seen in other patients.Conclusion Treatment of the cyst contents with 5% formaldehyde may lead to intestinal fistula, and 25% NaCl solution may give rise to the risk of recurrence, so that both methods need improvement.