Laparoscopically assisted resection of choledochal cyst and Roux-en-Y reconstruction.
Laparoscopic surgery for a congenital choledochal cyst was accomplished in five of eight adult patients for whom it was attempted (63%). Creation of a Roux-en-Y jejunal limb by midline minilaparotomy and hepaticojejunostomy using a laparoscopic sewing instrument facilitated the procedure.


BACKGROUND
Congenital choledochal cyst is a good indication for laparoscopic surgery. However, only two case reports are available at this writing.


METHODS
Eight adult patients, ages 19 to 61 years (mean, 32.6 years), underwent laparoscopically assisted resection of the choledochal cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.


RESULTS
The whole procedure was accomplished in five patients (63%). The duration of the procedure ranged from 525 to 680 min (average, 616 min). Open conversion in three patients was necessitated by severance of a small common hepatic duct because of disorientation caused by previous laparoscopic cholecystectomy, electrocautery injury to the common channel distal to the anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction, or heavy adhesion around the cyst secondary to recent severe cholangitis. Creation of a Roux-en-Y jejunal limb by midline minilaparotomy and hepaticojejunostomy using a laparoscopic sewing instrument facilitated the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopically assisted resection of the choledochal cyst and hepaticojejunostomy are technically feasible and deserve further clinical trials.
Tanaka
M
M
Department of Surgery and Oncology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. masaotan@med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Shimizu
S
S
Mizumoto
K
K
Yokohata
K
K
Chijiiwa
K
K
Yamaguchi
K
K
Ogawa
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D015529:Choledochal Cyst / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome