Management of choledochal cyst: 30 years of experience and results in a single center

Role of laparoscopy in treatment of choledochal cysts in children

Laparoscopy enables surgeons to approach the surgical conditions from a new perspective. Laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized the treatment of choledochal cysts (CDC). Yet, this new technique requires objective evaluations. We have examined the controversies about the CDC dissection, distal common bile duct ligation, ductoplasty for hepatic duct stenosis, intrahepatic duct and common channel protein plug clearance, timing of surgery for antenatally diagnosed CDC, and the Roux loop length in CDC children. In the hands of experts, laparoscopic excision of the cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is a safe and effective approach. We provide our opinions on these issues based on our experience and publications. We conclude that the main outcomes comparable to those of the open surgery. The better wound cosmesis and reduction of surgical trauma are the advantages.

Technical note on complete excision of choledochal cysts

BACKGROUND

Choledochal cysts are congenital cystic dilatations of the extrahepatic or intrahepatic portion of the biliary tree. Complete excision of choledochal cysts is currently regarded as the gold standard treatment, while less extensive procedures including cystoduodenostomy have become obsolete due to the potential for malignant change in the remnant cyst. For type-1 choledochal cysts, which sometimes extend to the main pancreatic duct closely, some surgeons may adopt a less aggressive approach in order to avoid damage to the main pancreatic duct as such damage can lead to serious consequences. However, incomplete excision of choledochal cysts may also cause problems.

METHOD

Here we report on a reoperation treating incomplete excision of a choledochal cyst with focus on the technical aspect.

RESULTS

In the reoperation, meticulous dissection of the liver hilum which had been previously operated on was performed. The hepaticojejunostomy was left intact. With the assistance of intraoperative cholangiography, the residual pancreatic portion of the choledochal cyst was completely excised. The pancreatic opening and the lower end of the common bile duct were reconstructed. Whipple operation was avoided.

CONCLUSION

Careful planning with the aid of precise imaging before and during the operation largely enhanced the accuracy of the excision of the choledochal cyst.

Long-term outcomes after excision of choledochal cysts in a single institution: operative procedures and late complications

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes for a minimum of 3 years after cyst excision in children with choledochal cysts, focusing on the relationship between operative procedures and outcomes.

METHODS

Between 1977 and 2008, 138 children underwent cyst excision. Follow-up results were obtained from 120 patients. Their mean age was 20.9 years (range 4-49). The mean interval between surgery and conducting the analysis was 16.6 years (range 3-34). These patients were divided into two groups based on their operative procedures: group A (1977-2000) comprising 76 patients who underwent cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy below the hilum, and group B (2001-2008) comprising 44 patients who underwent excision of the extrahepatic bile duct from the confluence of the hepatic duct to near the level of the pancreatobiliary junction with wide hilar hepaticojejunostomy. When hepatic strictures were seen near the hilum, duct plasty was made. We evaluated the long-term outcomes in the two groups.

RESULTS

Late complications were seen in a total of 18 patients (15.0%). In group A, 16 patients (21.1%) had late complications, which included cholangitis and/or hepatic stones in 9, stones in residual intrapancreatic cysts in 4, intestinal obstruction in 2, and pancreatitis in 1. Of these 16 patients, 12 patients (15.8%), including 7 with hepatic stones (6 IV-A and 1 Ic cysts), 4 with remnant intrapancreatic cysts, and 3 with intestinal obstruction underwent surgical intervention. In group B, none of the patients developed cholangitis, pancreatitis, or stone formation. However, 2 patients (4.5%) developed intestinal obstruction that required surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a longer follow-up period is necessary, late complications were more frequent in group A than in group B patients and with type IV-A cysts. We believe that excision of the extrahepatic bile duct with wide hilar hepaticojejunostomy is essential for the prevention of postoperative complications.

Early experience with laparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst in 41 children

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to review our center's early experience in managing children with choledochal cysts using laparoscopic excision.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out from the time of our first case of laparoscopic excision (2010). A total of 41 patients with choledochal cysts underwent laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Patient demographics, operative data, and post-operative outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty patients underwent the operation successfully, and the mean time of operation was 210 min (range 140 min to 380 min). One case was converted to an open operation due to dense adhesions. All patients recovered uneventfully and were discharged between seven and ten days post-operatively. Four patients suffered minor bile leaks after their operations, but they required only percutaneous drainage. The mean time for follow-up was six months (range 1 month to 1 year). No significant complication was noted during that time.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully introduced laparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst in our center and have found this to be a safe and effective method. Long-term follow up is awaited.

Biliary cysts: Etiology, diagnosis and management

Biliary cysts (BC) are rare dilatations of different parts of a biliary tract. They account for approximately 1% of all benign biliary diseases. BC occur the most frequently in Asian and female populations. They are an important problem for pediatricians, gastroenterologists, radiologists and surgeons. Clinical presentation and management depend on the BC type. Cholangiocarcinoma is the most serious and dangerous BC complication. The other complications associated with BC involve cholelithiasis and hepatolithiasis, cholangitis, acute and chronic pancreatitis, portal hypertension, liver fibrosis and secondary liver cirrhosis and spontaneous cyst perforation. Different BC classifications have been described in the literature. Todani classification dividing BC into five types is the most useful in clinical practice. The early diagnosis and proper treatment are very important, because BC are associated with a risk of carcinogenesis. A malignancy risk increases with the age. Radiological investigations (ultrasonography, computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) play an important role in BC diagnostics. Currently, prenatal diagnosis using ultrasonography is possible. It allows to differentiate biliary disorders in fetals and to perform the early surgical treatment that improves results. In most patients, total cyst excision with Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy is the treatment of choice. Surgical treatment of BC is associated with high success rate and low morbidity and mortality. The early treatment is associated with a lower number of complications. Patients following BC surgery require permanent and careful postoperative observation using laboratory and imaging investigations because of possibility of biliary anastomosis stricture and biliary cancer in tissue remnant.

Choledochoceles: are they choledochal cysts?

The classification of choledochoceles as a type of choledochal cyst stems from the 1959 article by Alonso-Lej and colleagues describing 94 choledochal cysts, only 4 of which were choledochoceles. Even then, Alonso-Lej questioned the propriety of including the choledochocele, stating it was unclear "as to whether or not it originates from the same etiologic factors [as other choledochal cysts]". In 1971, Trout and Longmire also questioned the validity of classifying choledochoceles as choledochal cysts, noting the anatomic position article and variant mucosa of the choledochocele. Wearn and Wiot, in an article titled "Choledochocele: not a form of choledochal cyst", cite the differences in clinical presentation, demographics, and histology as reasons why choledochoceles represent separate entities from choledochal cysts. Over the ensuing decades, numerous investigators have questioned the legitimacy of classifying choledochoceles as choledochal cysts. In our recent series (the only one to our knowledge directly comparing patients with choledochocele and other [type I, II, IV, and V] choledochal cysts), patients with choledochoceles differed from patients with choledochal cysts in their age, gender, presenting symptoms, history of previous cholecystectomy, pancreatobiliary ductal anatomy, management, and most importantly, propensity to developing biliary malignancy. Based on the available cases of choledochoceles found in the literature, combined with the recent series from our institution, we conclude that choledochoceles seem to be distinct entities from choledochal cysts.

Caroli's disease: report of surgical options and long-term outcome of patients treated in Argentina. Multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Caroli's disease (CD) management is still controversial.

AIM

The purpose of this study is to report the most frequent clinical features, treatment options, and outcome obtained after surgical management of CD.

METHODS

A voluntary survey was conducted. Demographic, clinical, surgical, and pathological variables were analyzed.

RESULTS

Six centers included 24 patients having received surgical treatment from 1991 to 2009. Seventeen (70.8%) patients were female, with average age of 48.7 years old (20-71), and 95.5% were symptomatic. There was left hemiliver involvement in 75% of the patients. Surgical procedures included nine left lateral sectionectomies, eight left hepatectomies, and four right hepatectomies for those with hemiliver disease, while for patients with bilateral disease, one right hepatectomy and two Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomies were performed. The average length of hospitalization was 7 days. For perioperative complications (25%), three patients presented minor complications (types 1-2), while major complications occurred in three patients (type 3a). No mortality was reported. After a median follow-up of 166 months, all patients are alive and free of symptoms. CD diagnosis was confirmed by histology. Congenital hepatic fibrosis was present in two patients (8.3%) and cholangiocarcinoma in one (4.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

CD in Argentina is more common in females with left hemiliver involvement. Surgical resection is the best curative option in unilateral disease, providing long-term survival free of symptoms and complications. In selected cases of bilateral disease without parenchymal involvement, hepaticojejunostomy should be proposed. However, a close follow-up is mandatory because patients might progress and a transplant should be indicated.

Management of rupture of choledochal cyst

One of the rare complications of choledochal cysts is rupture. In majority of the cases, the cause of rupture is unknown. Reconstructive surgery is the treatment of choice. We describe three patients with choledochal cyst rupture, who were admitted with acute abdomen. Diagnosis of biliary ascites with peritonitis was made in all the three patients. At surgery, two patients underwent T-tube placement, and definitive repair was done electively. One patient underwent definitive repair of ruptured choledochal cyst, but died due to septicemia. External bile drainage would be safer in emergency condition.

Intrahepatic duct dilatation in type 4 choledochal malformation: pressure-related, postoperative resolution

BACKGROUND

Type 4 choledochal malformations (CMs) may be defined as those with both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct dilatation. The aims of this study were to investigate possible causes of intrahepatic duct (IHD) dilatation in CM and to define the effect of surgery over time.

METHODS

This study was a single-center retrospective review of a database of all children with CM undergoing surgery (excision of extrahepatic bile duct dilatation and hepaticojejunostomy) and identified as type 4 (on imaging and at surgery). Data included intraoperative choledochal pressure measurements and biliary amylase content and were expressed as median (interquartile range [IQR]). All comparisons used nonparametric statistical tests. P ≤.05 was regarded as significant.

RESULTS

Twenty children were identified as type 4 CM (age, 4.3 years; range, 2.7-10.4 years) with preoperative IHD dilatation (right duct: diameter [range], 8.5 [4.5-14] mm; left: 8 [4-14.5] mm). Median intraoperative choledochal pressure was 17 (8-27) mm Hg (normal, <5 mm Hg), and intraoperative bile amylase was 3647 (range, 500-58,000) IU/L (normal, <100 IU/L). Preoperative IHD diameter correlated with choledochal pressure (right: r(s)=0.46, P = .03; left: r(s)=0.34, P = .07) but not with biliary amylase (P = .28 and P = .39, respectively). At 1 year postsurgery, median (range) IHD diameter had decreased to 1 (1-2.5) mm for right duct (P = .0002) and 1.5 (1-3) mm for left duct (P = .0006) and remained stable for up to a 10-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that IHD dilatation is related to sustained increased intrabiliary pressure rather than any intrinsic intrahepatic CM. Effective surgery invariably reduces measured IHD toward normal values.

Robot-assisted resection of choledochal cysts and hepaticojejunostomy in children less than 10 kg

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Laparoscopic resection of choledochal cysts and hepaticojejunostomy have been described in children since 1995, but these can be technically demanding procedures. Robotic surgical systems can facilitate complex minimal-access procedures. In 2009, we made the transition from conventional laparoscopic to robotic-assisted choledochal cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy. We present our experience in children weighing less than 10 kg.

METHODS

During 2009, 5 children weighing less than 10 kg underwent robotic resections of choledochal cysts and hepaticojejunostomy using the da Vinci surgical system. The Roux loop was fashioned extracorporeally. Mean age was 1 year (range, 0.5-1.4), and mean weight was 8.5 kg (range, 7.6-9.5). All 5 had type 1c cysts, and 3 were very large.

RESULTS

All 5 cases were treated successfully by robotic resection of the cyst and hepaticojejunostomy. Feeding was established by a median of 4 days (range, 3-6), and patients were discharged after a median of 6 days (range, 5-7) with no postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

The technique is safe and effective in children weighing less than 10 kg. The authors found ergonomic advantages in using robotic-assisted surgery for this complex minimal-access procedure.

Laparoscopic versus Open Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy for children with choledochal cysts: intermediate-term follow-up results

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic hepatojejunostomy (LH) for children with choledochal cysts (CDC) has been gaining popularity recently. However, its safety and efficacy remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intermediate-term results of LH for CDC children.

METHODS

We reviewed 218 patients who underwent LH between October 2001 and October 2009 and 200 patients who underwent open hepatojejunostomy (OH) between September 1993 and September 2001. Ultrasonography, upper gastrointestinal contrast studies, and laboratory tests were performed during the follow-up period. Age, operative blood loss, operative time, postoperative hospital stay, time to full feed, duration of drainage, postoperative complications, and perioperative laboratory tests were evaluated in both groups.

RESULTS

The median follow-up periods of the LH and OH groups were 38 and 146 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in age between the two groups. Interestingly, the operative time of the LH group decreased significantly with increasing number of cases (P<0.01). The most recent operative time of the LH group did not differ from that of the OH group (3.04 vs. 2.95 h, P=0.557). The operative blood loss of the LH group was significantly less (P<0.001). The postoperative hospital stay, resumption of alimentation, and duration of drainage in the LH group were significantly shorter (P<0.001, respectively). Two of 218 (0.9%) LH patients developed bile leak. This was significantly less than 11 of 200 (5.5%) in the OH group (P<0.01). The morbidities of LH group were significantly lower than those of the OH group. Postoperative liver function tests and serum amylase levels normalized in both groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic hepatojejunostomy is safe and effective. Its intermediate-term results are comparable to open surgery.