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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Excision and Roux-en-Y Choledochojejunostomy in Adults
Published on: February 28, 2025
[Cholecystectomy in children: our experience with 37 cases]
A Armas Alvarez1, P Taboada Santomil, A Bautista Casasnovas
1Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Santiago de Compostela.
Insights
Cholelithiasis is the primary reason for pediatric cholecystectomy, with laparoscopic procedures showing shorter operative times and hospital stays. This study analyzed 37 pediatric cases, highlighting common indications and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Surgical Indications
Context:
- Pediatric cholecystectomy indications have evolved with increased adoption of laparoscopic techniques.
- A shift towards elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is observed in pediatric populations.
Purpose:
- To determine the primary indications for cholecystectomy in children.
- To analyze the type of cholecystectomy, operative time, and hospital stay.
- To document associated complications, concomitant procedures, and pathological findings.
Summary:
- A review of 37 pediatric cases revealed cholelithiasis as the main indication (33 cases).
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomies (68%) demonstrated shorter operative times (84 min) and hospital stays (8 days) compared to open procedures (32%).
- Chronic lithiasic cholecystitis was the most frequent pathological finding, with intraoperative cholangiography and hepatic biopsies being common concomitant procedures.
Impact:
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers advantages in reduced operative time and hospital stay for pediatric patients.
- Understanding current indications and outcomes informs surgical decision-making and improves patient management.
- This study provides valuable data on the spectrum of gallbladder pathology and surgical interventions in children.
Introduction:
The indications of cholecystectomy in children had undergone a gradual change and the number of cholecystectomies had increased, considering to the laparoscopic cholecystectomy of election.
Objective:
To determine the indications, type of cholecystectomy, operative time, hospital stay, associate complications, concomitant procedures and pathologic findings.
Material And Method:
Descriptive study. Revision of 37 clinical histories of cholecystectomics patients.
Results:
We evaluate 37 patients (16 boys and 21 girls) with age average 9 years. The indications were: cholelithiasis 33, acute cholecystitis 2, gallbladder tumor 1 and septate gallbladder 1.68% were laparoscopic cholecystectomies (operative time: 84 minutes and hospital stay: 8 days) and 32% open cholecystectomies (operative time: 103 minutes and hospital stay: 14 days). Laparoscopic complication was one unexpectec opening of common hepatic duct. Concomitant procedures were: 9 intraoperative cholangiography, 5 hepatic biopsies, 3 splenectomies, 2 appendectomies. The pathologic anatomy showed: chronic lithiasic cholecystitis 30, normal gallbladder 3, chronic cholecystitis 1, gallbladder adenocarcinoma 1, chronic inflammatory changes 2.
Conclusions:
The main indication of cholecystectomy was the cholelithiasis. The majority were laparoscopic cholecystectomies with shorter operative time and shorter hospital stay. The intraoperative cholangiography, hepatic biopsy and splenectomy were the more frequent concomitant procedures. Main pathologic finding was the chronic lithiasic cholecystitis.
