Malignant change in the biliary tract after excision of choledochal cyst

Br J Surg. 1997 Dec;84(12):1687-91.

Abstract

Background: Choledochal cyst is a rare congenital condition with a high risk of malignant change if untreated. The risk of malignancy after surgical excision of choledochal cyst is not known.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with choledochal cysts managed over a 21-year period were reviewed, to determine the risk of malignant change after cyst excision. Thirty-nine of 48 patients had no carcinoma at first admission; their mean(s.d.) age was 20(18) years. Thirty-seven of 39 patients underwent cyst excision and cholecystectomy followed by hepaticoenterostomy.

Results: Cyst excision was incomplete in 28 of the 37 patients because dilated portions of the biliary ducts remained proximally and/or distally. In these 37 patients, no carcinoma has developed in the remnant proximal hepatic duct or the terminal bile duct after mean(s.d.) follow-up of 9.1(6.4) years. In the remaining nine patients, biliary carcinoma was diagnosed at the first visit. Six patients died from recurrence with a mean(s.d.) survival time of 13(11) months, while three patients were alive and free from recurrence 2 months, 1 year and 7 years after operation.

Conclusion: Malignant change has not been observed after total or subtotal excision of choledochal cysts in this series.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Choledochal Cyst / complications
  • Choledochal Cyst / surgery*
  • Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Recurrence
  • Treatment Outcome