Current Practice of Laparoscopic Surgery for Choledochal Cyst in Children -a Survey on Opinion and Experience Among IPEG Members.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic resection of choledochal cyst (CC) has become a popular approach. As the discussion about optimal treatment and technical strategies continues, we aimed to investigate perspectives of IPEG members.

METHODS: An online survey was conducted in 2023 on behalf of the IPEG Research Committee. IPEG members were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire that included 36 items on the management of CC.

RESULT: 148 members responded to the survey (North America:49/Asia:44/Europe:23/South America:21/Others:11) and 116 completed all questions. Most surgeons (92.5%) operate on less than 5 cases annually. Diagnostic tools of choice were Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI, 95.9%) and ultrasonography (US, 74.5%). Regarding fusiform-type CC, operative indications were cyst size greater than 10 mm (68.9%), typical symptoms (78.5%), or anomalous pancreatico-biliary junction (63.8%). In unilateral intrahepatic biliary cysts (type IVa) cases, 81.3% of respondents do not perform a simultaneous liver resection with the initial cyst resection. While 22.0% resect the CC at diagnosis, even if asymptomatic, a larger group of surgeons (41%; 49/118) wait until the infant reaches six months. Intraoperative cholangiography and choledochoscopy are performed routinely by 38.9% and 13.7%, respectively. The majority (52.5%) ligates the common bile duct stump just below the CC. Laparoscopic reconstructions are performed by retrocolic hepatico-jejunostomy (48.3%) or hepatico-duodenostomy (45.8%) at similar rates, but when done open, 71.2% of respondents prefer retrocolic hepatico-jejunostomy. For the laparoscopic anastomosis, interrupted sutures with intracorporeal knot tying were most often utilized (48.3%).

CONCLUSION: Inidividual pediatric surgeons treat a small number of patients with CC each year. Laparosopic and open reconstruction techniques vary, likely due to technical challenges.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.