To explore the feasibility, safety, and surgical efficacy of complete laparoscopic radical surgery for the treatment of congenital choledochal cysts in children.

From Apr. 2022 to Dec. 2023, retrospective analysis was conducted for the relevant clinical data of 36 children undergoing complete laparoscopic radical surgery and traditional laparoscopic radical surgery for the congenital choledochal cyst. There were 11 boys and 25 girls with an average age of 2.5 (1.6-10.5) years. They were randomized into two groups of control (n=19) and observation (n=17). Observation group underwent complete laparoscopic radical surgery, while control group underwent traditional laparoscopic radical surgery. The size of cysts, operation time, surgical blood loss, postoperative bowel emptying time, initial feeding time, postoperative hospitalization stay and postoperative complication rate in two groups were compared, and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the two surgical methods.

All patients successfully completed surgery, with no cases converted to open surgery. There was no statistical difference in cyst diameter [(2.3 ± 1.1) vs. (2.2 ± 1.4) cm ] and operation duration [(277±38) vs. (280 ± 36) min ] between the observation group and the control group (P>0.05). As compared with control group, observation group was lower with records of intraoperative blood loss [(20 ± 4.5) vs. (46 ± 4.9) ml], postoperative intestinal function recovery [(21 ± 3.7) vs. (38 ± 6) h], postoperative initial feeding time [(3.2 ± 0.4) vs. (4.3 ± 0.5) d] and postoperative hospitalization stay [(6.6 ± 0.8) vs. (7.6 ± 0.8) d]. During a follow-up period of 12 months, no significant difference existed in the incidence of complications(1/19 vs. 1/17) (P>0.05).

Complete laparoscopic radical surgery for the treatment of congenital choledochal cyst is a safe and reliable technique with satisfactory therapeutic effects, and can be used as a new option for minimally invasive treatment.