Laparoscopic resection of choledochal cyst with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy: a case report and review of the literature

Choledochal cysts are associated with ductal strictures, stone formation, cholangitis, rupture, secondary biliary cirrhosis and increased incidence of cholangiocarcinoma. The surgical approach to choledochal cysts has evolved from the cyst-enterostomy to a complete excision with more recent use of minimally invasive approaches. We report a complete minimally invasive approach to a Type 1 choledochal cyst and summarize the literature containing large case series of similar approaches.

A 38-year-old female with a history of vague epigastric pain for multiple years was diagnosed with a Type 1 choledochal cyst on MRCP. The operative approach was an elective laparoscopic resection of choledochal cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. There were no intraoperative complications and discharge occurred on postoperative day three. Approximately 1 month after resection, she was diagnosed with a small retrohepatic fluid collection which was treated percutaneously and was diagnosed as a hematoma. A PubMed literature review focusing on surgical approaches to Type 1 choledochal cysts methods of repair and postoperative complications was performed and summarized.

The literature search performed on the subject of choledochal cyst management in adults and laparoscopic approaches resulted in a review of twenty-one articles. Ten of the articles were review articles regarding surgical approach and management of the disease. An additional two were case reviews, and eight reported on laparoscopic approaches to management of choledochal cysts. In this paper, we summarize the eight articles that provide information on the laparoscopic management and outcomes for choledochal cysts. While operative times were longer on the laparoscopic procedures, hospital stay was shorter and there was no increase in complication rates. The most common complications reported were postoperative bile leak followed by anastomotic stricture.

This case highlights the management of laparoscopic resection of choledochal cyst as a viable, safe and feasible approach based on this case and a literature review.