Laparoscopic excision of intra-abdominal oesophageal duplication cyst in a child

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Congenital Malformations

Background:

• Duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations of the alimentary tract, occurring from mouth to anus.
• Esophageal duplication cysts account for 4% of these malformations, with intra-abdominal types being exceptionally rare.

Observation:

• The study presents the first reported pediatric case of a total intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cyst.
• This rare condition has previously only been documented in adult patients in the literature.

Findings:

• The intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cyst in this pediatric patient was successfully excised using laparoscopic techniques.
• This marks a significant advancement, as prior laparoscopic management reports for this specific condition were limited to adults.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates the feasibility and success of laparoscopic excision for intra-abdominal esophageal duplication cysts in pediatric patients.
• It expands minimally invasive surgical options for rare congenital gastrointestinal anomalies in children, potentially leading to better outcomes and faster recovery.