Spontaneous perforation of choledochal cyst in children: report of 16 cases / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnosis and operative procedure for spontaneous perforation of congenital choledochal cyst in children. MethodsThe clinical data of 16 cases with spontaneous perforation of congenital choledochal cyst were analysed retrospectively.ResultsAll cases were under 4 years old with a mean age of 23 months. Abdominal distension, pain, vomiting, fever and diffuse tenderness were present in all patients. The preoperative diagnosis was established by paracentesis in ten patients. Abdominal sonography and CT found a cyst in 5 of the 10 cases reviewed. In 11 cases (68.7%), the site of perforation was found on the confluence of common bile duct and gallbladder cystic duct. T-tube drainage was used as a transition measure. All patients recovered uneventfully. Radical resection was performed in about three months after the initial operation. ConclusionsThe obstruction of the bile duct and poor blood supply to the choledochal cyst are major causes leading to perforation. Routine abdominal paracentesis should be carried out for a small child with peritonitis and general abdominal tenderness, especially on the right upper quadrant.T-tube drainage should be adopted as an emergent procedure to tide the patient over the crisis followed by elective choledochal cyst resection and bile duct reconstruction.