Comparative analysis of the bile duct reconstruction methods in children with choledochal malformation

Abstract

To compare various methods of bile duct reconstruction in children with choledochal malformation (CM). There were 99 children with CM over 10-year period. Mini-laparotomy (ML), laparoscopy (LS) and laparotomy (LT) were used. We performed radical CM resection and bile duct reconstruction using Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) and hepaticoduodenostomy (HD). Surgery time, short-term and long-term postoperative outcomes were evaluated. ML was performed in 39 patients, LS - 51 patients, LT - 9 patients. In case of LS, hospital-stay was significantly lower after intracorporeal RYHJ formation compared to extracorporeal technique (p=0.02, Mann-Whitney U-test). Intracorporeal RYHJ requires more time (p=0.0003). Intestinal passage recovered 3 times faster in the ML RYHJ group compared to the LS RYHJ group (p=0.016, Mann-Whitney U-test). ML RYHJ was followed by significantly less duration of postoperative narcotic anesthesia compared to LS HD (3 vs. 4 days, p=0.02, Mann-Whitney U-test). In our study, ML RYHJ has an advantage over LS RYHJ regarding long-term outcomes. HD resulted higher incidence of severe postoperative pancreatitis (p=0.033) that required surgical correction (LT, p=0.043). ML RYHJ has some advantages over other methods of bile duct reconstruction. Therefore, we can currently recommend this method as a preferable one.