Objective To evaluate laparoscopic radical resection of liver hydatid cyst as compared with conventional open surgery.Methods From May 2006 to January 2013 clinical data of 41 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of hepatic hydatid cyst were compared with those 112 cases treated by open surgery.Operation time,blood loss,conversion rate,length of hospitalization and recurrence rate were compared and analyzed.Results There was not statistical significant difference in operative time and blood loss between the two groups (t =1.97,P ＞ 0.05) (t =2.00,P ＞ 0.05).Five laparoscopic patients were converted to open surgery,conversion rate was 12.2 ％ (5/41),three due to inadequate exposure,and two for intraoperative bleeding.Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in laparoscopic group than that in conventional group.The overall morbidity was 4.9％ (2/41) in laparoscopic and 16.0％ (18/112) in conventional group with statistical significance(x2 =3.92,P ＜ 0.05).Recurrence rate and mortality was 0 in both groups.Conclusions Laparoscopic radical resection of hydatid cyst is safe and effective in carefully selected patients and provides short hospital stay,good cosmetic result,fast recovery and fewer complications.