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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Excision and Roux-en-Y Choledochojejunostomy in Adults
Published on: February 28, 2025
[Early postoperative complications of choledochal cyst excision and reconstruction of biliary tract]
1Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital, College of Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Insights
Early complications after choledochal cyst excision, such as biliary leakage and hepatic failure, are more common in infants. Emphasizing preoperative treatment and surgical skill is key to improving outcomes for this complex pediatric surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Complications
Context:
- Choledochal cysts are congenital dilations of the bile ducts.
- Surgical excision and reconstruction are the definitive treatments.
- Early postoperative complications impact patient recovery and outcomes.
Purpose:
- To investigate the incidence and types of early postoperative complications following choledochal cyst excision with biliary tract reconstruction.
- To identify risk factors for these complications, particularly in infants.
- To discuss strategies for prevention and management.
Summary:
- This retrospective study analyzed 173 patients (27 days to 14 years) who underwent choledochal cyst excision and biliary reconstruction.
- The overall morbidity for early postoperative complications was 9.3%, with biliary leakage being the most frequent (10/16).
- Infants under one year had significantly higher complication rates compared to older children, though reconstruction technique did not significantly alter outcomes.
Impact:
- Identifies biliary leakage, abdominal wall dehiscence, and hepatic failure as primary early complications.
- Highlights the increased risk in infants, underscoring the need for specialized care.
- Recommends focus on preoperative infection control, hepatic function, surgical expertise, and timely reoperation for biliary leakage.
Objective:
To study the early postoperative complications of choledochal cyst excision with reconstruction of the biliary tract.
Methods:
In last 10 years, 173 patients aged from 27 days to 14 years (mean = 2.4 years) were operated on with procedures of choledochal cyst excision and biliary tract reconstruction by jejunointerposition between the liver hilum and duodenum or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in our hospital. Amongst these 173 patients, 16 were found to suffer from postoperative complications. Therefore, their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, and the prevention and treatment of the early postoperative complications discussed.
Results:
The morbidity of early postoperative complications was 9.3% (16/173). The early complications included biliary leakage in 10 patients, wound dehiscence of abdominal wall in 3, hepatic failure in 1, pancreatic fistula in 1, and postoperative enteric intussusception in 1. The morbidity of early postoperative complications in infants younger than 1-year old was significantly higher than that in children(chi 2 = 15.78, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the morbidity of early postoperative complications between patients undergoing biliary tract reconstruction by jejunal segment interposition and those undergoing that by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (chi 2 = 0.07, P > 0.05). The total mortality in all the operated patients was 2.3% (4/173). Three patients died from biliary leakage and 1 from postoperative hepatic failure.
Conclusions:
Biliary leakage, wound dehiscence of abdominal wall and hepatic failure are major early postoperative complications. The morbidity in infants younger than 1-year old is higher than in children. The preoperative treatment of biliary tract infection, hypohepatia, and surgical skills during operation should be emphasized. Reoperation for biliary leakage should not be delayed and mycotic cholangitis after biliary leakage needs more attention. Tension suture in the fascial space of the abdominal wall is useful for the prevention and treatment of abdominal wall dehiscence.
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