SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF RUPTURED CHOLEDOCHAL CYST BY PRIMARY CYST EXCISION AND BILIARY RECONSTRUCTION

One to two percent of patients who have choledochal cysts present with cyst rupture and bile peritonitis. Reported cases have been managed w ith external drainage of the cyst followed by a second procedure to ex cise the cyst and reconstruct the biliary tract. The authors report tw o cases of ruptured choledochal cyst treated with primary cyst excisio n and biliary drainage, The satisfactory outcome of these patients sug gests that this is the preferred management. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B . Saunders Company.