Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Biliary Dyskinesia in Children: Report of 100 Cases from a Single Institution

Abstract

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is increasingly performed in the pediatric population. Biliary dyskinesia (BD) is largely responsible for this increase and is presently the most common indication for LC in this age group. In our institution the diagnosis of BD is made in patients with biliary symptoms, absence of biliary stones, and an ejection fraction <35 per cent on hydroxy iminoadiacetic acid (HIDA) scan. We reviewed our experience of 100 children with BD that underwent LC. Data that was prospectively collected and entered into electronic medical records by gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and pediatric surgeons was reviewed and analyzed. Patients were symptomatic for an average of 15 months before undergoing surgery. Seventy-seven per cent reported resolution of symptoms from 6 months to 5 years following LC, whereas the rest complained of persistent symptomatology. When the two groups were compared, patients with persistent symptoms were more likely to be female and to have longer symptom duration. An ejection fraction <35 per cent reliably predicts successful outcome of LC in patients with BD. The diagnosis of BD should be entertained early in the differential of functional abdominal pain in children and referred to Pediatric Surgery when its presence is confirmed.