Abstract:Objective:To evaluate the etiology,diagnosis and treatment of cholelithiasis in children.
Methods :The clinical data of 22 children with cholelithiasis were retrospectively analysed. Twenty patients underwent operative treatments, 14 had cholecystectomy (including 8 patients with successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy); 3 with common bile duct exploration and Ttube drainage; 2 with cholecystectomy, bile duct exploration and Ttube drainage; and 1 with excision of choledochal cyst and RouxenY hepaticojejunostomy.
Results:Eighteen patients complelely recovered after operation. At followup of 5 months to 7 years in 18 cases(81.8%),all children grew up well,but 3 cases had occasional abdominal pain and distention,of which one recovered after choledochotomy and stone removal, and 1 was relieved with conservative therapy, but 1 still had recurrent symptoms.
Conclusions:Children with abdominal pain should first be examined by B-ultrasound. In cases with dilatation of common bile duct, additional CT exam can improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Children with evident symptoms of cholelithiasis should have early operative treatment. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the method of choice for gallbladder stones in children.