Choledochal cysts: Management and long-term follow-up

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Choledochal cysts are congenital biliary tree anomalies with long-term risks of complications and cancer.
• Complete excision of affected bile ducts is the recommended treatment approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of surgical management for choledochal cysts.
• To assess the long-term risks, including malignant transformation, after treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patients treated between 1995 and 2019.
• Analysis of patient demographics, presenting symptoms, cyst types, and treatment modalities.
• Evaluation of perioperative outcomes, complications, and long-term follow-up data.

Main Results:

• Sixty patients (46 female, 14 male) with a median age of 41 years were included.
• Todani type I cysts were most common (67%), with 9% having concomitant biliary malignancy.
• No perioperative mortality; 34% experienced postoperative complications. No malignancies developed during follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Todani type I choledochal cysts are prevalent, and early surgical excision is the primary management strategy.
• Early intervention may decrease the risk of malignant transformation associated with choledochal cysts.