Laparoscopic resection of type I choledochal cyst in an adult and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy: A case report and literature review

Choledochal cysts are rare cystic dilatations of the extrahepatic biliary tree, the intrahepatic bile ducts, or both and carry a substantial risk of malignant transformation. Type I choledochal cysts, which involve the entire common hepatic and common bile ducts, represent 80% to 90% of these lesions. We report laparoscopic excision of symptomatic type I choledochal cyst in a 37-year-old woman, and review the literature. Laparoscopic excision of the extrahepatic biliary tree from the hepatic confluence to the anomalous pancreatobiliary junction with en bloc cholecystectomy and reconstruction with a Rouxen-Y hepaticojejunostomy was accomplished. Postoperative recovery was uneventful with a hospital stay of 3 days. She remains well and asymptomatic at 6 months of follow-up. Laparoscopic excision of choledochal cysts may be safely accomplished with a prompt recovery. Further experience with this approach in larger number of patients is justified and long-term follow-up data are needed.