Complete laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst: report of two cases.
BACKGROUND
Choledochal cyst is a rare congenital anomaly of the biliary tract. With increased familiarity with the laparoscopic anatomy of the biliary tract and advances in minimally invasive techniques, surgeons have ventured further to operate on technically difficult cases such as choledochal cyst that were until recently managed by laparotomy.


METHODS
We present our experience with two female patients aged 14 years and 26 years with choledochal cyst (type I according to the Alonzo-Lej classification) that were successfully excised with construction of a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy entirely laparoscopically.


RESULTS
Both patients had an uneventful recovery, with no major morbidity. The first patient had a bile leak, which resolved over 5 days. Both were discharged by the 5(th) postoperative day.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic management of choledochal cyst is feasible although technically difficult and may be performed in specialized institutes dealing with advanced laparoscopic surgery.
Department of Minimal Access Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India. chowbey@del2.vsnl.net.in
Pradeep K
PK
Chowbey
Merezban P
MP
Katrak
Anil
A
Sharma
Rajesh
R
Khullar
Vandana
V
Soni
Manish
M
Baijal
Ashish
A
Vashistha
Arun
A
Dhir
Amit
A
Dewan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D015529:Choledochal Cyst / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007582:Jejunostomy / Q000379:methods; D010535:Laparoscopy; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D013536:Suture Techniques