Application of Embedding Hepaticojejunostomy in Children with Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction Without Biliary

Fei Liu1, Menglong Lan1, Xiaogang Xu1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Insights

Laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy is a feasible treatment for children with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) without biliary dilatation. This minimally invasive approach demonstrated good patient outcomes and no long-term complications in a recent study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Surgical Innovation

Background:

  • Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) can present without biliary dilatation, making diagnosis challenging.
  • Nondilated PBM often has concealed clinical manifestations, necessitating advanced diagnostic techniques.
  • Surgical intervention is crucial for managing PBM to prevent complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of embedded hepaticojejunostomy in pediatric patients with nondilated PBM.
  • To assess perioperative outcomes and long-term follow-up results of this surgical technique.
  • To highlight the importance of preoperative diagnosis in managing PBM without biliary dilatation.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 10 pediatric patients with nondilated PBM.
  • Diagnosis confirmed using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and intraoperative cholangiography.
  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, common bile duct resection, and embedded hepaticojejunostomy performed in all cases.

Main Results:

  • Successful laparoscopic procedures with minimal blood loss (2-5 mL) and average operation time of 225 minutes.
  • Patients showed rapid recovery with mean oral intake at 3.5 days and mean hospitalization of 6.2 days.
  • Significant perioperative improvements in liver function indexes (P < .05) and no bile duct complications during a median 40-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Embedded hepaticojejunostomy is a feasible and effective surgical option for pediatric patients with nondilated PBM.
  • Preoperative MRCP is vital for accurate diagnosis of PBM, especially in cases without biliary dilatation.
  • The laparoscopic approach offers good short-term and long-term outcomes, promoting healthy growth in pediatric patients.