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Choledochal malformations: global research, scientific advances and key controversies

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A Correction to this article was published on 19 December 2018

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Abstract

Choledochal malformations (CMs) represent a spectrum of relatively rare and complex congenital anomalies, characterized by abnormal dilatation of the biliary tract in the absence of any acute obstruction. Today, almost 20% of CMs can be detected in-utero using maternal ultrasonography. Formal scientometric analysis was used to identify where modern CM research is taking place and perhaps where our attention should be directed in the future. Thus, this article offers a comprehensive review of recent scientific advances relating to CMs including the current understanding of etiology and classification, whilst also discussing key controversies such as risk of malignant transformation and the role of newer modalities of surgical treatment. Although laparoscopic excision of CMs and biliary reconstruction is nowadays feasible and safe, care should be taken before dispensing with standard open techniques, which have minimal complication rates and proven long-term benefit.

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Change history

  • 19 December 2018

    The last sentence in the first paragraph under subheading “Minimally invasive treatment” was incorrect in the original publication.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the medical staff librarians at the Weston Education Centre Library of King’s College London for their outstanding support in the literature search process for this manuscript.

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No external funding was received by any of the authors in support of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK

    Florian Friedmacher, Kathryn E. Ford & Mark Davenport

  2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK

    Florian Friedmacher

  3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK

    Kathryn E. Ford

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  1. Florian Friedmacher
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Correspondence to Florian Friedmacher.

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Friedmacher, F., Ford, K.E. & Davenport, M. Choledochal malformations: global research, scientific advances and key controversies. Pediatr Surg Int 35, 273–282 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-018-4392-4

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