title: Laparoscopic Treatment of Choledochal Cyst Using Barbed Sutures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The usage of barbed sutures is increasingly being reported in the field of laparoscopic surgery. However, there have been reports of suture-related complications such as small bowel obstruction or anastomosis stricture. We present our experience of hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) using V-loc, during laparoscopic cyst excision for choledochal cyst.
  
  
  METHODS
  At our center, from August 2014 to January 2015, 4 patients were treated for choledochal cyst. Laparoscopic cyst excision with Roux-en-Y HJ was performed, and HJ was performed with intracorporeal suturing using unidirectional barbed sutures. After surgery, the patients were followed up in the outpatient clinic every 3 months to monitor for long-term complications such as biliary stricture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no short-term complications. Among the 4 patients, 3 patients did not experience any long-term complications. As of this writing, the follow-up period for the 4 patients is 16 months for the first 2 patients and 11 months for the later 2 patients. Biliary stricture was diagnosed in 1 patient at 7 month follow-up. HJ revision was performed with an open right subcostal incision. The anastomosis showed dense fibrosis and stricture. The patient recovered uneventfully after the surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HJ using barbed sutures was relatively easy to perform, but barbed sutures may have a tendency to cause stricture when used in biliary enteric anastomosis. Caution must be taken to prevent overtightening of the suture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Suh
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea , Incheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000713:Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015529:Choledochal Cyst / Q000601:surgery*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006500:Hepatic Duct, Common / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: choledochal cyst; choledochojejunostomy; laparoscopy; stricture; suture techniques; sutures