Congenital choledochal cysts in adults--comparative study

Congenital choledochal cysts are rare anomalies of the biliary tree and their presentation in adults is infrequent. They are more common in Asia. Females are more commonly affected. Surgery remains the treatment of choice. Nine patients were operated for congenital choledochal cysts in the last fifteen years, i.e. from 1988 to 2002. The diagnosis was established by case history, clinical features and laboratory tests. The imaging methods proved to be the most informative among them. Classification of the choledochal cysts was based on modified Todani classification. All patients have undergone cyst excision with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The complications, like recurrent cholangitis or pancreatitis, were avoided.