Choledochal cysts in children: a review of 28 years of treatment in a Dutch children's hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the results of surgical treatment of choledochal cysts.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Children's hospital, The Netherlands.

PATIENTS: 14 children presenting with choledochal cysts.

INTERVENTIONS: Choledochoduodenostomy, Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity and mortality

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 20 months (2 weeks to 7 years). 10 patients had a type I choledochal cyst; three a type IV, and one a type V. Mean follow-up period was 6 years (18 months to 16 years). One patient with a type I cyst died of Klebsiella pneumoniae that was resistant to treatment. One patient with a type I cyst treated by choledochojejunostomy had two episodes of cholangitis. Another patient with a type I cyst, treated by choledochoduodenostomy, had one episode of cholangitis. Both could be treated with antibiotics. The other patients had had no complications up to 1997.

CONCLUSION

This rare anomaly may lead to severe complications when left untreated or after late treatment. It is easy to manage with low associated morbidity.