Laparoscopic Management Of Choledochal Cysts Research Articles

A case series on laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst in adults at a tertiary care centre

A case series on laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst in adults at a tertiary care centre

Laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst in children: Lessons learnt from low-middle income countries.

Choledochal cyst (CC) is a disease with a strong Asian preponderance. As laparoscopic surgery has become mainstay in its treatment, the experience in these countries has been phenomenal. However, there are many contentious issues related with the laparoscopic management of CC. In this review article, we will try to answer the contentious questions related to the laparoscopic management of CC. The issues related to aetiology, classification, surgical technique, type of biliary anastomosis, intrahepatic stones and malignancy are discussed. We also discuss the current and future considerations of laparoscopic management with reference to it becoming a gold standard. This article describes the standard surgical approach and will discuss its technical nuances. This article will also discuss the outcome of treatment in different settings of low- and middle-income countries based on lessons learnt by the authors from their experience and research.

Laparoscopic Management of Choledochal Cysts Associated with Aberrant Hepatic Ducts

Introduction and objectives: This study assessed the diagnostic protocol and the outcomes of laparoscopic aberrant hepatic duct (AHD) reconstruction in choledochal cyst (CC) surgery. Methods: From January 2010 to January 2018, 275 laparoscopic CC excisions were conducted in our hospital. Seven patients of CC with associated AHD were recorded. AHDs that drained into the cystic duct were anastomosed to the Roux-en-Y loop. Clinical data of these 7 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results: AHD is classified into four types according to the literature. The type where AHD drains into the cystic duct is the most commonly encountered one. The incidence of this type was 2.5% (7/275) in our series. Preoperative examination included magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) (5 patients) and computed tomography (CT) scan (2 patients). Suspected AHD was diagnosed preoperatively in 4 out of the 5 patients who underwent MRCP. For the 2 patients who underwent CT scan only, AHD was not detected preoperatively. AHD was verified intraoperatively for all the 4 patients who had suspected diagnosis. Among them, AHD was well preserved in 3 patients, but damaged at exploration in the remaining 1. For the remaining 3 patients without preoperative AHD diagnosis, bile leakage was detected intraoperatively. Ductoplasty of the AHD with common hepatic duct was performed in 3 patients, and AHD was incorporated into the Roux-en-Y jejunal loop separately in 4 patients. Laparoscopic surgical procedures were completed in 6 of the 7 patients in this study, while 1 patient was converted into an open procedure. Postoperative recovery was uneventful in all patients. The duration of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years (median 2 years) with no complication encountered. Conclusions: Routine preoperative MRCP examination of CC is recommended to detect variations of biliary tree. The laparoscopic approach is a feasible option in the experienced hands.

Laparoscopic management of choledochal cysts in infants and children: A review of current practice

AimCholedochal cyst is characterized by congenital dilatation of the biliary system. Patients with choledochal cyst tend to be symptomatic in their childhood. The aim of this study was to review the current practice in laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst in infants and children.Patients and MethodsA PubMed database search was performed for all the studies on children who underwent laparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst. Additional literature was cited second hand from the first‐tier literatures.ResultsStudies on i) laparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst and hepaticojejunostomy in children; ii) laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst in antenatally detected choledochal cyst; iii) single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in children with choledochal cyst; iv) robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery in children with choledochal cyst and v) hepaticoduodenostomy in children with choledochal cyst were reviewed.ConclusionsLaparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst and hepaticojejunostomy remains safe and feasible in children and infants. In centers experienced in MIS, SILS and robotic–assisted laparoscopy in the management of children with choledochal cyst were reported to be an alternative approach. The debate on hepaticoduodenostomy versus hepaticojejunostomy in biliary reconstruction will continue until a longterm outcome is available in the future.

Laparoscopic management of choledochal cysts: is a keyhole view missing the big picture?

In recent years, numerous articles have promoted laparoscopic surgical treatment of choledochal cysts in children. Most of these reports assert that laparoscopic excision and biliary reconstruction are as safe as open surgery and achieve equivalent or better results. However, these conclusions are based on retrospective analyses with median follow-up periods that rarely exceed 5 years. Closer scrutiny of the laparoscopic literature indicates that the optimum procedure for treating type I and most type IVa choledochal cysts, namely radical excision of the extrahepatic bile ducts and reconstruction by wide hilar hepaticoenterostomy, preferably hepaticojejunostomy, is not being carried out in most cases. Performing a less radical excision exposes patients to a greater long-term risk of a bilioenteric stricture and its complications and malignant change in residual extrahepatic bile ducts. Currently, the long-term outcomes of surgery for choledochal cysts are being eclipsed by the short-term gains of laparoscopic techniques. The prime objective in the surgical management of choledochal cysts is the long-term health of the patient; laparoscopic techniques are simply another method of performing the surgery and they should not become the standard of care unless long-term outcomes are similar to best practice open surgery.

Laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst: T-tube or no T-tube

Laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst has been proved to be safe and feasible procedure. Choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy has become standard operative management of type I and type II choledochal cyst. But anastomosis leak has been a significant problem in hepaticojejunostomy. Many precautionary measures have have been described in literature. Here we present a series to study usefulness of T-tube in reducing leak from hepaticojejunostomy in laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst.

Management of choledochal cyst: Evolution with antenatal diagnosis and laparoscopic approach

BACKGROUND/AIM:Laparoscopic excision of a choledochal cyst (CC) with hepaticojejunostomy gained a wide acceptance in the treatment of children even in neonatal period. Although, the use of prenatal diagnostic techniques causes a significant increase in antenatal diagnosis of CC, the time of surgical intervention during infancy is still controversial. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the results of laparoscopic management of CC with special emphasis on antenatal diagnosis and treatment, and to compare the results with open procedure.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The patients who were diagnosed with choledochal cyst and underwent either open or laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy in two centres, hopital d’enfant de La Timone from Marseille and hopital Robert Debre from Paris between November 2000 and December 2009 were included in the study. The data obtained from medical reports were evaluated for sex, time of antenatal diagnosis, age at time of operation, operative time, time of postoperation.RESULTS:A total of 19 hepaticojejunostomy were performed, including 10 open procedures (group A), and 9 laparoscopic procedures (group B, 4 were diagnosed prenatally, without conversion to open procedure). There were 3 boys and 16 girls, ranging in age from 2 weeks to 16 years. Patients in the group A were older than patients in the group B. The mean hospital stay and time to return of bowel fuction was longer in the group B. there were 60% of pre-operative complications in group A versus 22% in group B. There was one postoperative complications in group B (biliary leakage nedeed redo surgery). No significant differences were found between different parameters except for operative time (288.56 min in the group B versus 206 min in the group A. (p = 0.041)).CONCLUSIONS:Our initial experience indicates that the laparoscopic approach in infancy is technically feasible, safe, and effective, with a low morbidity and a comparable outcome to the open approach. Therefore, we propose a laparoscopic approach for antenatally diagnosed CC as early as possible, before the onset of complications.

The effect of laparoscopic excision vs open excision in children with choledochal cyst: a midterm follow-up study

PurposeCyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy has been the classic procedure for treating choledochal cysts. Recently, laparoscopic treatment of the disease has gained popularity worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether laparoscopic management of choledochal cysts is as feasible and safe as conventional open surgery in children with this disease. MethodsA retrospective study comparing the laparoscopic and the open procedures was performed in 77 consecutive patients with choledochal cyst in our hospital. Thirty-nine patients operated on between June 2001 and September 2003 were in the laparoscopic group, whereas 38 patients in the open group were operated on between February 1999 and May 2001. ResultsPatient demographics were similar between the 2 groups. The duration of operation was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (median, 230 vs 190 minutes; P < .001). In contrast, the durations of delayed oral feeding and hospital stay postoperatively were significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (median, 4 vs 5 days [P < .01] and median, 5 vs 7 days [P < .01], respectively.) There were no differences in the early and late complication rates between the 2 groups. ConclusionsLaparoscopic treatment of choledochal cyst in children is feasible and safe. For experienced centers, this procedure can be recommended.

Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Excision: Lessons Learned in Our Experience

Choledochal cyst (CDC) is a rare biliary disorder. Surgical treatment consists of CDC excision and biliary-enteric reconstruction. Recently, some institutions have reported successful CDC excision by using minimally invasive techniques. In this study, we report our experience with the laparoscopic management of CDC, with a focus on key operative maneuvers that enhance the likelihood of successful excision. Following institutional review board approval, we performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent the laparoscopic excision of CDC and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Between October 2003 and November 2007, we performed laparoscopic CDC excision in 9 patients (8 female and 1 male). Median age was 4 years (range, 8 months to 16 years). There were 7 type I and 2 type IV cysts, according to Todani's classification. Average cyst size was 4.4 cm (range, 1.3-8.5). The procedures were performed by utilizing four or five trochars. Six of 9 children presented with preoperative pancreatitis, 1 with abdominal pain, 1 with jaundice, and 1 was found incidentally. Three patients required the conversion to laparotomy due to dense adhesions, secondary to pancreatitis. Six patients underwent successful laparoscopic procedures, 5 had complete cyst excisions, and 1 underwent a proximal excision with distal mucosectomy. Of the 3 patients who required conversion, 2 underwent complete excisions; the other underwent a proximal excision, distal mucosectomy. There were no intraoperative complications. One patient had a postoperative bile leak that required an open hepaticojejunostomy revision. Eight patients had an uneventful recovery. Oral feedings were resumed within an average of 3.4 days (range, 2-9). Average time to discharge was 6.1 days (range, 5-12). Average follow-up time was 18 months (range, 4-48). No further laboratory abnormalities were detected in any of the patients. Laparoscopic resection of CDC and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in children is an excellent treatment option. Preoperative pancreatitis may cause increased technical difficulty, necessitating a conversion. Proximal excision with distal mucosectomy

Laparoscopic Management of Choledochal Cysts: Technique and Outcomes—A Retrospective Study of 35 Patients from a Tertiary Center

Choledochal cysts are congenital dilations of the biliary tree. The accepted mode of treatment is total excision with hepaticojejunostomy. In this retrospective study, we present our technique and results of laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision. We retrospectively studied 35 patients who had undergone laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision in our institute from 1996 to 2008. Data about age, gender, type of choledochal cyst, symptoms, surgical technique, conversion rate, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed. There were Type 1B choledochal cysts in 27 patients (77%) and Type IVA in 8 patients (23%). An anomalous pancreatobiliary junction was found in 40%. Mean operative time was 295 minutes. Total cyst excision could be done in 26 patients. The conversion rate in our series was 8.5%. The overall morbidity rate was 14.3%, the reoperation rate was 8.5%, the mortality rate was 0%, and the incidence of carcinoma was 8.5%. To minimize the risk of malignancy, total excision of the cyst is ideal, but a small proximal cuff of cyst is retained for small-size ducts to aid in the hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis. A slit on one end of the small ducts will render the anastomosis in an oblique orientation, widening the lumen. Dissecting the posterior cyst wall from the underlying portal vein is the most crucial part of the procedure. Morbidity and mortality rates after laparoscopic management are comparable with published results of the open procedure. Laparoscopic surgery for choledochal cysts is feasible, safe, and even advantageous.

Totally laparoscopic management of choledochal cysts using a four-hole method

Choledochal cyst is a rare benign disease of the biliary tract. However, once diagnosed, it must be excised with the gallbladder because of the risk for cancer developing in the biliary tree, including the gallbladder. This report introduces a new surgical technique for totally laparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst and hepaticojejunostomy using a four-hole method. Between October 2003 and May 2005, the authors performed totally laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision for 12 patients. All the patients except one were women, and the mean age was 37.3 years (range, 17-62 years). According to the Todani classification, there were five type Ia cases, four type Ic cases, and three type IV cases. Choledochal cyst excision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy were performed laparoscopically using the four-port technique. The mean operation time was 228 min (range, 150-330 min). No operative or postoperative transfusion was required. An oral diet was started on postoperative day 3. The average length of hospital stay was 5.8 days. There was no major complication associated with anastomosis leakage or obstruction. No patient had an adverse response, as determined by clinical or laboratory evaluation during a 2- to 19-month follow-up period. Considering that choledochal cyst is common among young women, who are especially interested in cosmetic results in addition to complete resolution of medical problems, the laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst may be an attractive treatment option.

Laparoscopic management of pediatric choledochal cysts in developing countries: review of ten cases

We report laparoscopic management of choledochal cysts (CDC) in 10 children. We dissect the CDC using conventional mono- and bi-polar diathermy up to the lower end, ligate or clip it at the lowest possible level and divide it. The proximal end is divided after leaving a sufficient cuff for anastomosis. In the first three cases, we formally opened to complete the biliary-enteric anastomosis. However, in the subsequent seven cases, we made a small midline incision to develop a Roux-en Y loop, and the anastomosis was then completed by intra-corporeal suturing after re-creating the pneumo-peritoneum. Apart from biliary leak in one case, we did not encounter any major complications. The mean operative time was 4.2 h. We have discussed the technical points in the study. We conclude that CDC is eminently suitable for laparoscopic correction; it requires advanced skills and expertise for precise dissection and meticulous suturing in restricted spaces. If the case selection is good and if the team is experienced, CDC can be effectively managed using laparoscopy even without a sophisticated equipment. The wound- and scar-related morbidity is minimized.