[Choledochal cyst: a 10-year experience]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Choledochal cysts are rare congenital biliary abnormalities predominantly affecting female infants and children.
• Optimal outcomes for choledochal cysts rely on timely diagnosis, complete surgical excision, and reconstruction with hepaticojejunostomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term outcomes of 18 patients who underwent surgical management for choledochal cysts over a decade.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart review was conducted on 18 pediatric patients diagnosed with choledochal cysts.
• Surgical interventions included cyst resection and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for most cases.
• Diagnostic modalities utilized were ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography.

Main Results:

• The patient cohort ranged from 20 days to 13 years, with 83% being female.
• Common presenting symptoms included jaundice (83%), dark urine (61%), and abdominal pain (50%).
• Postoperative follow-up revealed 86% of patients were symptom-free, while 14% developed chronic pancreatitis. Two early deaths (11%) occurred due to liver function deterioration.

Conclusions:

• Surgical management, including cyst resection and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, offers a favorable prognosis for most pediatric choledochal cyst patients.
• While effective, potential long-term complications such as chronic pancreatitis warrant continued monitoring.