BACKGROUND

The feasibility of laparoscopic resection of choledochal cyst and hepaticojejunostomy in children is still unclear. This report presents the author's experience with a first series of patients.

METHODS

Data from 11 consecutive children (median age 17.5 months, SD 22, range 2 to 70) with choledochal cyst scheduled for laparoscopy were collected prospectively. There were nine type I and 2 type V cysts according to Todani's classification. All except one patient had intermittent jaundice or recurrent pancreatitis. The laparoscopic technique included excision of the cyst. A Roux-en-Y anastomosis was constructed after exteriorization of the small bowel via the infraumbilical trocar incision. After repositioning of the bowel an end-to-side hepaticojejunostomy was carried out laparoscopically.

RESULTS

The procedures were carried out in nine children without intraoperative events and a median duration of 289 min (SD 62). In two patients, the operation was converted after 60 and 90 min due to a lack of overview at the dorsal margin with problems in separation of the portal vein. Oral food intake was started within 2 days and tolerated well in all except one patient, in whom biliar fluid from the drain led to laparoscopic reevaluation on day 1. A small leak was resutured and the patient was discharged on day 5. In one patient, recurrent cholangitis and a dilated Roux-en-Y loop led to correction of some kinking of the loop via laparotomy after 3 months. All other patients are well with bile-stained stools after a mean follow-up of 13 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic resection of congenital choledochal cyst and choledochojejunostomy in children is feasible. We feel that there is a considerable learning curve with the technique. Future studies will have to prove the feasibility of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y bowel anastomosis without the need for bowel exteriorization.