Background

Pediatric giant hydatid cysts are rare and can have grave complications due to mass effect. Treatment options depend on the size, location, and symptomatology, thus range from marsupialization to hepatectomy. Sudden decompression of giant cyst during drainage causes reversal of pressure dynamics and bile flow into the residual cavity rather than into the bilio-enteric path through ampulla of Vater [1]. Thus, postoperative biliary fistula is the most common morbidity accounting from 13 to 30% incidence in children which poses a challenge to the treating surgeon [2].

We, hereby, report a major postoperative bile leak in a 7-year-old child with a large liver hydatid cyst, managed successfully with a cysto-jejunostomy.

Case presentation

A 7-year-old boy presented with sudden onset severe pain in the right hypochondrium, associated with multiple episodes of non-bilious copious vomiting. He was referred from a primary health care center as a suspected case of hepatic malignancy. There was no past history of similar episodes of pain.

On examination, the liver was enlarged and tender with liver dullness up to 6 cm below the right costal margin. Ultrasound revealed hepatomegaly along with a large cystic lesion of 10 × 9 × 9 cm involving segments VI, VII, and VIII of the liver and these findings were confirmed with a pre-operative contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) abdomen (Fig. 1a). Chest X-ray was done to rule out any associated lung cyst. The hydatid IgG serology was elevated (8.99 IU/ml). Liver function tests (LFT) showed elevated enzymes with normal bilirubin levels. The child was resuscitated with fluids and antibiotics to correct dehydration and dyselectrolytemia. A preoperative course of albendazole was given for 25 days in lieu of the large size of the cyst. On laparotomy with a right-side subcostal incision, under general anesthesia and anaphylactic prophylaxis, a large cyst measuring 10 × 9 × 9 cm was found replacing segments VI, VII, and VIII of the right lobe of the liver without any evidence of adjoining cystic lesions. After isolating the field with surgical sponges dipped in hypertonic saline (20% saline), the cyst cavity was opened up and about 1 l of hydatid fluid was aspirated, followed by filling up the cavity with scolicidal agent for 20 min (povidone iodine 10% solution). Daughter cysts were carefully evacuated along with floating membranes. Deroofing was done, followed by covering the cystic cavity with omentum to complete the capitonnage, after inspecting for any residual bile leak points with fresh white surgical sponges. An intracavitary wide bore tube drain was secured. On postoperative day four (POD 4), bile leak was noted which gradually increased to 150–300 ml/day and over the next 2 days mild icterus with passage of pale stools was also seen. There was mild elevation of the liver enzymes with serum bilirubin of 0.8/0.2 units (total and conjugated). In view of worsening cholangitis and abdominal distension, the child was taken up for re-exploration on POD 10 and no active bile leak sites could be identified in the cyst cavity. However, no per operative cholangiogram was performed. The cavity was bile tinged uniformly with tube drain in situ. The seepage sites were identified and repaired with prolene. Cyst cavity was packed with gel foam after omentoplasty. Post second surgery, due to persistent bilious drain output of 100–150 ml/day, a HIDA scan was done which suggested active bile leak from the proximal right hepatic duct and no evidence of bilio-enteric drainage (Fig. 2a, b).

Fig. 1
figure 1

CECT abdomen—large thin walled, homogeneous cystic lesion, completely replacing segments VI, VII, and VIII, with no contrast enhancement (a). On re-exploration, sub-hepatic collection was drained and the cyst cavity was opened up. No active bile seepage noted and thorough lavage given (b). Roux limb: 40 cm distal to duodeno-jejunal flexure, jejunal loop divided, and mobilized through the transverse mesocolon up to the cystic cavity. The mobilized jejunal limb sutured (cysto-jejunostomy) to the cystic margin (single-layered, hand sewn, interrupted) using vicryl 4-0 (c)

Full size image
Fig. 2
figure 2

99mTc-mebrofenin planar and SPECT/ CT scan (post second surgery): showing biliary leak from medial part of surgical cavity (segment VII/VIII) and relatively photopenic area in right lobe (arrow), enlarged left lobe of the liver, preserved function and no evidence of bilio-enteric drainage (a), and subsequent collection of radiotracer in bag (arrow; b). Transverse CT and SPECT/CT images show collection of radiotracer in the surgical cavity (c, d). Follow-up scan shows hepatomegaly with preserved hepatocyte function, minimal tracer collection in surgical cavity (arrow), and patent bilio-enteric drainage without any duodenogastric reflux (e, f)

Full size image

Child was re-explored on postoperative day 11. Cyst cavity was opened and lavage given (Fig. 1b). Roux en Y limb 40 cm distal to DJ flexure mobilized through the transverse mesocolon up to the porta and jejunocystic anastomosis (cystojejunostomy) done with vicryl 4-0 (interrupted) (Fig. 1c). Wide bore infant feeding tube was secured into the cavity (transjejunal) as an anastomotic stent along with an abdominal drain in the sub-diaphragmatic space. Postoperatively, the child was kept on total parenteral nutrition and systemic octreotide. The drain output gradually decreased over next 10 days, and the child improved clinically with passage of normal colored stools. Oral feeds were gradually resumed. Repeat HIDA (Fig. 2c, d) scan suggested evidence of bile leak into the surgical cavity (cystojejunal cavity) with minimal drainage through the subdiaphragmatic drain. The child was discharged after removal of abdominal drain. The child is doing well under regular follow-up since last 2 years.

Discussion

Only a few cases of giant hydatid liver cysts (diameter 10 cm or more) have been reported so far in adult literature, which is more scarce in children [3]. Conservative measures like partial cystectomy with external drainage, omentoplasty, and capitonnage carry a high incidence of postoperative biliary leakage and recurrence [4], which are lesser with procedures like hepatectomy and pericystectomy at a cost of radical resection. In a retrospective analysis of 64 patients (mean age 35.6 years), Deo et al. demonstrated a significantly lesser postoperative bile leak and the need for endoscopic biliary stenting in radical surgery group [5]. In our case, we initially approached with omentoplasty and capitonnage with external tube drainage. However, persistent postoperative major bile fistula required re-exploration and drainage via cystojejunostomy. As per adult literature, biliary fistulas mostly close spontaneously; however, they may persist in 4–27.5% of cases [6]. Zeybeck et al. compared around 282 patients, who underwent treatment in the form of PAIR or surgery and suggested that postoperative bile drainage volume < 102 ml is the only significant predictor of spontaneous closure [7]. To decrease the fistula output by providing low resistance bilio-enteric drainage, ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy has been tried successfully in adult biliary fistula persisting more than 3 weeks’ duration or with output exceeding 300 ml/day [1]. However, it requires general anesthesia and has not been reported in children due to technical difficulties.

Acar et al. have retrospectively compared the surgical procedures (partial cystectomy vs cystojejunostomy) in 28 patients (mean age 32.8 years) of giant hepatic hydatid cysts [8]. The cavity-related complications were found to be 25% with partial cystectomy as compared to none in cystojejunostomy. Yilmaz et al. have explained a prophylactic laparoscopic internal bilio-enteric drainage (Roux en Y cystojejunostomy) in an order to prevent long-term biliary fistulas in complicated hepatic hydatid cyst [9].

Conclusion

Giant hydatid cyst of the liver in pediatric population is extremely rare. Postoperative bile leaks are major comorbidities and should be treated conservatively wherever possible. Persistent major bile leak requiring ERCP with sphincterotomy can be managed successfully in children by internal drainage as Roux En Y cystojejunostomy.