A role for laparoscopic approach in the treatment of biliary atresia and choledochal cysts

Background/Purpose

Indications for a laparoscopic approach in the management of biliary atresia and choledochal cysts in children are not clearly defined. We present our initial experience with 9 consecutive laparoscopic cases, and compare them to the traditional open approach.

Methods

A retrospective comparison of all consecutive operations for biliary atresia and choledochal cysts from January 2000 to May 2006 was undertaken. We evaluated the patient's age at operation, operative time, return of bowel function postoperatively, length of hospital stay, complications, and the need for subsequent liver transplantation. Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 45 portoenterostomies and choledochojejunostomies were performed, including 9 laparoscopic and 36 open procedures. Patients with choledochal cysts were older than patients with biliary atresia. All the compared parameters were similar and there was no difference in outcomes between the laparoscopic and the open groups.

Conclusions

Our initial experience is encouraging and indicates that the laparoscopic approach is technically feasible, safe, and effective, with a low morbidity and a comparable outcome to the open technique. Longer follow-up of a larger patient cohort is needed.     

Early experience with laparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst in 41 children

Objective

This study aims to review our center's early experience in managing children with choledochal cysts using laparoscopic excision.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out from the time of our first case of laparoscopic excision (2010). A total of 41 patients with choledochal cysts underwent laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Patient demographics, operative data, and post-operative outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Forty patients underwent the operation successfully, and the mean time of operation was 210 min (range 140 min to 380 min). One case was converted to an open operation due to dense adhesions. All patients recovered uneventfully and were discharged between seven and ten days post-operatively. Four patients suffered minor bile leaks after their operations, but they required only percutaneous drainage. The mean time for follow-up was six months (range 1 month to 1 year). No significant complication was noted during that time.

Conclusions

We successfully introduced laparoscopic excision of choledochal cyst in our center and have found this to be a safe and effective method. Long-term follow up is awaited.     

Excellent long-term outcome of hepaticojejunostomy for biliary atresia with a hilar cyst

Background

Biliary atresia (BA) with hilar cyst is an uncommon variant, which constitutes less than 10% of all types of BA, and the operative procedure for this type of BA remains controversial.

Methods

We have had 200 cases with BA from 1963 to 2008 in our institute and our branch hospitals, in which 12 cases (6%) were BA with a hilar cyst. The clinical records of all cases were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

Twelve BA patients with a hilar cyst included 2 boys and 10 girls. The diagnosis of BA was confirmed by intraoperative cholangiography (cloudy or treelike pattern). In all 12 cases, a hepaticojejunostomy was performed at a median age of 71.6 days (range, 24-136 days). The follow-up periods were 1.2 to 23.2 years. The current mean total bilirubin level was 0.8 mg/dL (range, 0.2-3.5 mg/dL), and the mean direct bilirubin level was 0.2 mg/dL (range, 0.0 to 0.8 mg/dL). Methylprednisolone or oral prednisolone was administered in 8 cases after operation, and 10 of 12 cases achieved a jaundice free state. The postoperative complications were cholangitis (n = 10), gastroesophageal varices (n = 7), splenomegaly (n = 3), ileus (n = 1), and pulmonary hypertension (n = 1). The overall survival rate with a native liver was 10 (83.3%) of 12 cases, of which 9 cases were jaundice-free and only 1 case showed recurrent jaundice. The other 2 cases underwent living-donor liver transplantation at age of 2 and 20 years, respectively, and they are currently doing well.

Conclusions

Most cases of BA with a hilar cyst achieved excellent clinical outcome after a hepaticojejunostomy.     

Intrahepatic biliary cysts in children with biliary atresia who have had a Kasai operation

Purpose

In patients with biliary atresia who had undergone a Kasai operation, treatment of intrahepatic biliary cysts (IBCs), particularly when complicated by cholangitis, is often difficult because the clinical implications and the course of IBCs are unclear. Thus, to determine the best treatment guideline, the morphology of IBCs, the clinical course, and the outcomes of such patients were evaluated.

Patients and Methods

A total of 44 patients with type III biliary atresia who underwent a Kasai operation from 1977 to 2005 were postoperatively examined for IBC by using ultrasonography and computed tomography. We classified the IBCs based on their number and shape.

Results

Intrahepatic biliary cysts developed in 12 of 54 patients. Three patients with solitary simple cysts and 1 patient with multiple simple cysts had no history of cholangitis. Two patients with multiple simple cysts had cholangitis at the time of IBC diagnosis and were treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD). Patients with simple IBCs did not develop persistent cholangitis and their prognosis depended largely on their liver function; 3 of 6 patients remained healthy without cholangitis, whereas 3 patients required liver transplantation (LT) because of progressive liver failure or worsening hepatopulmonary syndrome, and not severe cholangitis. On the other hand, all 6 patients with multiple complicated IBCs had persistent cholangitis, eventually requiring LT. Even after bile flow to the intestine was reestablished after PTCD, both IBCs and cholangitis recurred. These patients required LT because of severe cholangitis.

Conclusions

Intrahepatic biliary cysts without cholangitis are not a source of infection and require no treatment. Simple IBCs with cholangitis can be controlled by antibiotics and/or PTCD. Patients with multiple complicated IBCs have a poor prognosis, requiring LT to control cholangitis. Although PTCD can control cholangitis in these patients as they wait for LT, PTCD does not alleviate it—LT is the final solution.     

Cystic biliary atresia: an etiologic and prognostic subgroup

Introduction

Cystic biliary atresia (CBA) is an uncommon variant of biliary atresia (BA) in which prognosis may be relatively favorable but liable to misdiagnosis as choledochal cyst, and potentially offers insights into the etiology of BA. Because some cases can be detected antenatally, CBA in general may have its origins in utero life. We assessed our experience with CBA.

Methods

Single-center retrospective review of infants with CBA over a 13-year period (January 1994 to December 2006) was done. Data are given as medians (range).

Results

Of 270 infants with BA, 29 (9 male) were identified as CBA. Antenatal ultrasonography had detected an abnormality in 12 (41%) infants at a median of 22 weeks (17-34 weeks) of gestation. All infants underwent postnatal excision and Kasai portoenterostomy (KP). Those with antenatally detected CBA came to surgery younger (36 [14-67] vs 48 days [35-147 days], P = .004). Twenty cysts (69%) had a fibroinflammatory wall with no biliary epithelial lining and 6 (26%) contained bile. Age at KP was significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.46, P = .01) with liver fibrosis, as assessed in liver biopsy materials obtained at KP, but not with grade of “hepatocyte disarray” (P = .74). Twenty infants (69%) cleared their jaundice (bilirubin <20 μmol/L) within 6 months after KP. Age at KP markedly affected outcome.

Conclusion

Cystic BA is a clinically distinct variant of BA. Despite onset in prenatal life, earlier than presumed for isolated BA, it has a better prognosis, particularly with early surgery.     

Early outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for biliary atresia

Aim

The aim of the study was to present early outcomes of the laparoscopic technique for biliary atresia with some technical modifications.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed charts of all patients with biliary atresia who underwent laparoscopic portoenterostomy from July to December 2008. There were 11 patients with biliary atresia, including 5 boys and 6 girls. The operation was carried out using 4 trocars. The liver was elevated by 2 transcutaneous stay sutures: one on the round ligament and the other on the gallbladder remnant. The left and right hepatic arteries and portal veins were dissected and retracted laterally by 2 transcutaneous sutures to expose the liver hilum. A stay suture was placed on fibrotic tissue at the liver hilum to facilitate its maximal removal. A jejunal end-to-side anastomosis was constructed extracorporeally. Portoenterostomy was carried out laparoscopically.

Results

Mean operative time was 245 ± 31 minutes. No patient required conversion. There were no operative deaths. Blood loss during operation was minimal. One patient died on day 65 after operation because of intractable hepatic liver. Follow-up after discharge from 10 to 16 months revealed that 6 patients still survived and 4 patients died. One patient died because of milk aspiration at 12 months of age. Three patients died because of repeated cholangitis and liver failure at 10, 10, and 14 months, respectively.

Conclusion

With a modified laparoscopic technique, good early outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for biliary atresia were achieved.     

腹腔镜技术的现状与展望

腹腔镜技术在普外科手术中的应用在经历了20年的发展历程之后,已从最初的单纯胆囊切除手术逐步发展到今日涉及胃肠、肝胆、胰腺、甲状腺、乳腺和腹壁外科等普外科几乎所有手术。目前,腹腔镜正处于专科化,规范化和进一步微创化的时代,随着手术技术、手术器械的不断发展与创新,腹腔镜技术将会获得更进一步的发展。     

腹腔镜技术在治疗成人先天性胆总管囊肿中的应用

目的 探讨完全腹腔镜下成人先天性胆总管囊肿切除、肝总管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术的可行性、安全性及其临床应用价值.方法 回顾性分析2008年5月至2011年2月期间收治的采用完全腹腔镜囊肿切除、肝总管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合手术治疗的7例成人先天性胆总管囊肿患者的临床资料.结果 所有手术顺利,无中转开腹.平均手术时间210 min,出血量80 ml.术后第1日患者离床活动,平均2.4d排气或排便.除1例术后有少量胆汁漏外,无严重术后并发症发生,均恢复顺利,平均住院时间8.1d.术后随访3～30个月,无腹痛、发热或黄疸等症状.结论 完全腹腔镜成人先天性胆总管囊肿切除、肝总管空肠Roux-en-Y术安全可行,具有创伤小、恢复快的优点,值得推广.     

Fictitious pancreatitis in choledochal cyst

The classical presentation of choledocal cyst has been regarded as a triad of abdominal pain, jaundice and a palpable abdominal mass; unusual presentations include rupture of the choledocal cyst with bile peritonitis, pancreatitis and bleeding esophageal varices. We are reporting 3 children presenting clinically as recurrent acute pancreatitis with elevated serum amylase and found to have type I choledocal cyst. Despite elevated serum amylase there was no evidence of pancreatic inflammation at laparotomy. High amylase concentration was found in fluid contained within the cyst. This was probably responsible for the elevated serum amylase and also the inflammatory reaction seen in the wall of the choledocal cyst. These cases support the hypothesis that pancreatic reflux into the bile ducts is the etiological factor in the development of choledocal cyst. Our 3 cases were treated by cyst excision and have remained asymptomatic. The presence of hyperamylasemia should not delay appropriate surgical management. The treatment of choice is cyst excision, since it will eliminate factors contributing to the development of cholangitis and hyperamylasemia.     

Increased susceptibility to liver damage from pneumoperitoneum in a murine model of biliary atresia

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that livers with biliary atresia (BA) are more susceptible to the harmful effects of a high-pressure CO₂ pneumoperitoneum (PP) than healthy livers.

Methods

A murine model of BA was used in this experiment. Mice were divided into 6 groups: (1) control Balb/c; (2) control Balb/c, CO₂-PP; (3) control BA; (4) BA-sham; (5) BA, CO₂-PP; and (6) BA, air-PP. Mice from groups 2, 5, and 6 underwent an 8-mm Hg-PP for 60 minutes. Liver samples were collected for histology, colorimetry, and flow cytometry analysis 18 to 24 hours after the procedure. Markers of apoptosis were investigated as indicators of acute cell damage.

Results

We observed a statistically significant higher rate of apoptosis in livers with BA exposed to a prolonged CO₂-PP or air-PP compared with control groups. There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2, or between groups 5 and 6.

Conclusions

In this animal model, we have shown that livers with BA are more susceptible than healthy livers to injury by a prolonged PP. This injury was caused by both CO₂ and air-PP, implying that it is the direct result of pressure. These results may have implications for the success of minimally invasive Kasai procedures.     

腹腔镜下胆总管囊肿根治切除及胆道重建术

目的探讨腹腔镜下行胆总管囊肿根治切除及胆道重建术的可行性。方法全身麻醉后腹腔镜辅助下按悬吊肝圆韧带、游离胆囊、术中胆道造影、游离切除囊肿、空肠Roux-Y吻合、肝管空肠吻合、缝合系膜裂孔、放置腹腔引流的步骤完成手术。结果 18例患者腹腔镜下顺利根治切除胆总管囊肿,15例经结肠后、3例经结肠前吻合胆道重建术,手术时间3.5～6.5h,2例术后出现并发症。结论经腹腔镜胆总管囊肿根治切除及胆道重建手术安全可靠,值得临床进一步推广应用。     

儿童及成人先天性胆总管囊肿对比临床分析

目的　研究儿童及成人先天性胆总管囊肿的不同特点 ,提高对先天性胆总管囊肿的诊治水平。方法　回顾分析 3 2例先天性胆总管囊肿的诊治资料 ,将其分为少儿 ( <14岁 )和成人( >14岁 )发病组 ,分析两者不同的临床表现、诊断和治疗特点。结果　少儿组 17例 ,临床表现为持续性黄疸、肝肿大、腹部包块 ,术前一般情况差 ,保守治疗 6例 ,其中 2例因肝硬化腹水 ,肝功能衰竭死亡 ,1例未愈出院 ,3例延期手术 ;手术 14例 ,13例行肝管空肠Roux -Y吻合 ,1例行肝管十二指肠吻合术。成人组 15例 ,以间歇性右上腹疼痛、畏寒发热、黄疸首次就诊 ,分别行囊肿切除肝管空肠吻合术 ( 12例 )、肝管十二指肠吻合术 ( 1例 )、肝左叶并囊肿切除肝管空肠吻合术 ( 2例 )。结论　先天性胆总管囊肿发病患儿起病急 ,病情发展快 ,易合并肝脏损害 ,应加强围手术期支持治疗 ;成人囊肿切除胆道重建术后 ,应密切随访 ,防治胆管炎及胆道癌变     

Histopathologic improvement in biliary cirrhosis after definitive surgery for choledochal cyst

Choledochal cyst causes liver fibrosis, the extent of which varies with each case. Liver damage seldom progresses to cirrhosis, but when it does, it is generally irreversible. We report an infantile case of liver cirrhosis associated with choledochal cyst in which complete clinical resolution was achieved by surgery. Pancytopenia caused by splenomegaly, massive ascites, hypoalbuminemia, and coagulation abnormality that were observed during the early postoperative period had disappeared within 4 months after surgery. Needle liver biopsy performed at 1 year after surgery revealed marked improvement in liver fibrosis.     

婴儿胆道扩张症伴胆道发育不良的手术治疗

目的 探讨巨大胆总管囊肿伴胆道发育不良症患儿的诊断和手术难点.方法 回顾性分析胆道扩张症患儿278例,其中3例伴有肝外巨大囊肿的胆道发育不良症患儿.本组患儿术中都进行胆道造影检查,了解肝内、外胆管通畅情况以及肝内胆管扩张情况;术中行肝脏活检,行囊肿切除术,术中放置肝总管支架管,并行肝总管-空肠Roux-en-Y吻合手术. 结果 3例患儿手术年龄在1～2个月之间,术中造影显示囊肿较巨大,左、右肝管发育较细且与肝内相通,有黄色胆汁流出.切开囊肿时有1例损伤肝总管,行肝总管修补手术,并行肝总管部位囊肿成型术,再行肝门-空肠吻合术.3例患儿术后无吻合口狭窄和结石形成;肝活检病理证实有通畅胆管,但胆管数量减少,未见类似胆道闭锁的胆管增生以及胆栓形成.术后随访1～5年,未见黄疸发生,超声显示无肝内胆管扩张.结论 术中胆道造影检查非常必要,如遇囊肿巨大,左、右肝管较细,切开囊肿时应小心,切口位置选择在胆囊管水平以下,勿损伤肝管,造成吻合困难,吻合时放置支架管对于早期胆汁引流意义重大.     

先天性胆总管囊肿多次手术原因分析

目的分析先天性胆总管囊肿(CCC)多次手术的原因。方法回顾性分析我院1995年1月至2004年12月因各种原因行再次及多次手术的CCC15例患者的临床资料。15例中,小儿7例,成人8例。首次手术行囊肿空肠吻合3例、囊肿十二指肠吻合3例(其中1例为妊娠期合并胆总管囊肿)。成人胆总管囊肿被误诊手术4例。囊肿自发破裂行外引流2例。胆漏2例。吻合口狭窄1例。结果13例行2次手术,2例行3次手术。本组1例术后发生胆漏患儿死亡,余均治愈。结论对CCC应尽可能地行囊肿切除,胆道重建,但在某些情况下可考虑先行外引流术以缓解症状,待病情稳定后再行囊肿切除,胆道重建。     

完全腹腔镜手术与开腹手术治疗成人I型先天性胆总管囊肿的疗效比较

目的 比较腹腔镜手术与开腹手术治疗成人I型先天性胆总管囊肿的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2012年1月至2019年1月金华市中心医院收治的41例成人I型先天性胆总管囊肿患者,均行胆总管囊肿切除+肝总管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术。按照手术方式分为腹腔镜组（n=21例）和开腹组（n=20例）,比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后肛门排气时间、术后饮食恢复时间、术后住院时间及术后并发症发生情况。结果 两组患者均顺利手术,无死亡病例发生。腹腔镜组手术时间明显长于开腹组[（245.51±53.23）min vs（165.38±35.52）min,P＜0.001],但腹腔镜组在术中出血量[（120.21±45.42）mL vs（165.75±56.13）mL]、术后肛门排气时间[（2.62±0.81）d vs（3.38±0.67）d]、术后饮食恢复时间[（6.53±1.71）d vs（8.24±1.95）d]、术后住院时间[（10.24±3.82）d vs（13.95±3.62）d]方面明显少于开腹组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组患者术后并发症发生率无统计学差异（4/21 vs 5/20,P=0.65）。结论 腹腔镜下施行胆总管囊肿手术具有创伤小、恢复快等优势,同时不增加术后并发症的发生率,可有条件的医院积极开展。