ADULT CHOLEDOCHAL CYSTS: AN AUDIT OF SURGICAL MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Adult choledochal cysts are rare and are often non-specific in their clinical presentation. In managing patients with choledochal cysts, it is important to first treat complications such as sepsis and pancreatitis before imaging of the biliary tree with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography to evaluate the full extent and type of choledochal cyst. Surgical management should be planned single-stage surgery comprising complete cyst resection, cholecystectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and should be carried out by hepatobiliary specialists. Excellent perioperative morbidity and mortality results are possible with this strategy. Malignancy is rare and was only noted in 3% but close follow up is warranted.