Surgical outcome of choledochal cysts in adults: a prospective cohort study

Background Choledochal cysts (CCs) are cystic dilatation of the biliary ductal system. Adult cases comprise around 20% of all cases. Purpose The aim of this study was to integrate all possible technical methods to prevent complications arising from residual choledochal tissue by presenting our experience in adult patients. Patients and methods A prospective cohort study of 24 adult patients, who underwent surgery for CC, over a 4-year period from March 2013 to February 2017 at the Gastroenterology Surgical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt, was carried out. Cysts were classified according to the Todani classification. Biliary anatomy was defined by intraoperative cholangiography. Results The present study included six males and 18 females. Their ages ranged from 18 to 43 years (mean 26.4 years). Pain was the most common symptom at presentation (20 patients, 83.3%). Eighteen patients (75%) had type I cysts. All patients underwent excision of the extrahepatic bile duct cyst. The mean follow-up period was 34.6 months. Conclusion The present study showed satisfactory medium-term results following surgical resection of adult CC. Our approach was effective, to a great extent, in preventing complications of residual cysts. Excision of the extrahepatic bile duct should be guided by intraoperative cholangiography and distal clips to avoid pancreatic duct injury.