A modified technique of single-incision laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy for children with choledochal cysts

BACKGROUND: To present a modified laparoscopic surgical technique that works to optimize the surgical view in laparoscopic total excision of choledochal cyst in pediatric patients. METHODS: From June 2015 to June 2017, a total of 48 pediatric cases of choledochal cyst were admitted. Their age ranged from 15 month to 8 years (average 3.5 years). The Todani types were: type I (n = 32) and type IVa (n = 16), according to the diagnostic criteria of ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). RESULTS: Total cystic excision with hepaticoenterostomy was accomplished laparoscopically in 48 cases with our transumbilical single -incision method without conversion to open surgery. Average duration of operation was 200 min (range 170–240 min), average intraoperative blood loss was 9 ml (range 6–14 ml) without the need for blood transfusion. The 72-h postoperative ultrasound reported no abdominal effusion, when the intraperitoneal drainage tube was removed. There was no postoperative complication during the 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We accomplished the same postoperative outcome in laparoscopic total cyst excision with our modified method as that with conventional laparoscopic surgery. This technique allows the operator to have a stabilized surgical view without needing to rely on an assistant to hold up the liver lobe for larger operative space.