BACKGROUND: Our objective is to evaluate prospectively the treatment and diagnosis of choledochal cysts in Hospital Municipal Jesus in a five-year period (1996-2001). METHOD: Prospective evaluation of patients operated on for choledochal cysts in Hospital Municipal Jesus during a five-year period. RESULTS: Patients generally presented recurring abdominal pain, jaundice or an abdominal tumor, but only two presented the complete triad. One patient was asymptomatic and was diagnosed fortuitouslly. All patients could be diagnosed by ultrasonography, and the method accomplished a doubtful diagnosis in only two cases. All cases were Todani's type 1 treated by total resection. There were three post-operative complications: an episode of digestive hemorrhage and two biliary fistulae, one clinically treated with success and one reoperated. Follow up varied between 4 months and 5 years and there weren't any late complications. CONCLUSION: Choledochal cysts must be treated electively by total resection as soon as they are diagnosed, and surgical resection is safe in children.
Choledocal cyst; Biliary malformations; Hepatico-jejunostomy
