Pancreatitis after a primary and secondary excision of congenital choledochal cysts

Pancreatitis has been reported long after total choledochal cyst excision. The aim of this study was to determine if the disease process of postoperative pancreatitis differs between a primary and secondary cyst excision in a long-term follow-up.

Among 53 postoperative patients who underwent a total cyst excision and were followed up, 44 patients underwent a primary cyst excision (primary excision group), while 9 patients underwent a secondary cyst excision after a previous cyst-duodenostomy for internal drainage (secondary excision group). The long-term clinical course, including the pancreatographic findings after a total cyst excision, was compared.

In the primary excision group, six patients had mild pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography demonstrated ductal dilatation that was limited to the common channel in two patients, concurrent with the ventral duct in three, and extended the duct of Santorini in three. Conservative treatments were carried out in three patients, and endoscopic irrigation in one patient with protein plugs in the ventral duct. A resection of the choledochal remnant in the pancreas was performed in two patients with choledochal remnant-associated pancreatitis. From the secondary excision group, 5 of the 9 patients had chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography showed entire pancreatic ductal dilatation. Two of these patients underwent duodenal papilloplasty at the same time as secondary surgery; however, the disease progressively worsened.

In patients undergoing a secondary total excision after internal drainage, it is difficult to half the ongoing aggravating process in pancreatitis.