Choledochal cysts in children: a review of 28 years of treatment in a Dutch children's hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the results of surgical treatment of choledochal cysts.

DESIGN: Retrospective study.

SETTING: Children's hospital, The Netherlands.

PATIENTS: 14 children presenting with choledochal cysts.

INTERVENTIONS: Choledochoduodenostomy, Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity and mortality

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 20 months (2 weeks to 7 years). 10 patients had a type I choledochal cyst; three a type IV, and one a type V. Mean follow-up period was 6 years (18 months to 16 years). One patient with a type I cyst died of Klebsiella pneumoniae that was resistant to treatment. One patient with a type I cyst treated by choledochojejunostomy had two episodes of cholangitis. Another patient with a type I cyst, treated by choledochoduodenostomy, had one episode of cholangitis. Both could be treated with antibiotics. The other patients had had no complications up to 1997.

CONCLUSION: This rare anomaly may lead to severe complications when left untreated or after late treatment. It is easy to manage with low associated morbidity.