Choledochal cyst is a congenital dilatation of the bile duct. Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation of type IVa by Todani's classification at the time of diagnosis resolved spontaneously after cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy in many cases. It should be distinguished from the true cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic ducts, which tends to persist, albeit after some regression. We therefore studied postoperative intrahepatic duct dilatation changes in choledochal cyst. A total of seventy-six choledochal cysts were managed at the Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center from May 1995 to December 2005. The ratio of males to females was 1:2.8. Preoperative radiologic diagnosis by Todani's classification was Type I (n=52, 68.4 %), II (n=1, 1.3 %), IVa (n=23, 30.3 %). Among fifty-five patients with intrahepatic bile duct dilatation we were able to follow up forty-eight by ultrasonography. Twenty-two patients were type IVa, and twenty-six patients were type I and showed intrahepatic duct dilatation. Mean follow-up duration was 35.3 months (9~105 months). Complete regression of dilated intrahepatic duct was observed in fifteen patients of type IVa and twenty-four patients of type I. Incomplete regression of dilated intrahepatic duct was observed in six patients in type IVa and two patients in type I. Only one patient in type IVa showed no change in ductal dilatation during a follow-up period of 15 months. We conclude that true type IVa is much less frequent than what was diagnosed preoperatively by imaging study. Therefore in type IVa patients who are diagnosed preoperatively the decision to perform liver resection should be carefully considered. Postoperative long term follow up of choledochal cyst with intrahepatic bile duct dilation is needed.

Artificial classification of anorectal malformation (ARM) is difficult because it is a spectrum of embryologic maldevelopment. However, the establishment of an ideal classification of ARM should be established in order to choose the adequate treatment and evaluate the prognosis. The classification system of ARM has followed the development of medicine, and the pediatric surgeons, who manage the ARM, should understand the change of this classification system.

Congenital dilatation of the common bile duct (choledochal cyst) is an uncommon disease. Although the etiology is unknown yet, various theories such as distal obstruction of the common bile duct, congenital weakness of the duct and anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary duct have been offered to explain the occurrence of choledochal cyst. Thirty - six cases of choledochal cyst over 22 years were analyzed clinically and classified according to Todani's classification and Kimura's anomalous union of pancreaticobiliary duct type. Todani type I consisted with 22 cases which were subdivided into 19 cases of type Ia, 1 case of type Ib and 2 of type Ic. Type IVa consisted with 14 cases including one case of Caroli's disease. There were 25 type BP cases and 10 type PB cases and 1 normal pancreatobiliary junction. Serum alkaline phosphatase was increased significantly in almost all cases. Seven patients (19.4%) had associated congenital anomalies such as double gallbladder, left - sided gallbladder, common bile duct web, biliary atresia, accessory hepatic duct, heterotopic pancreas, cleft lip and 2 cases of intestinal malrotation. All patients underwent cyst excision and Roux - en - Y hepaticojejunostomy and cholecystectomy. There was one death due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis.

No abstract available.

Branchial anomaly is a frequently occurring congenital abnormality in childhood. It is important for the pediatric surgeon alike to be familiar with the embryology and differentiation of head and neck structure to accurately diagnose and treat these lesions. Eighty-five patients with branchial anomaly treated at Hanyang University Hospital between 1980 and 2001 were reviewed to determine relative frequency, clinical classification and appropriate treatment. The male to female ratio of branchial anomaly was 1.2:1. The most commonly presenting age was before 1 year (32 %) and the age group between 1 and 3 year (22 %) followed it. According to the classification of branchial anomalies, 73 of 85 cases were second branchial anomaly, 9 had the first type and 3 did fourth type. One patient showed combined anomalies of the first and the second type. Infection sign were seen in 70 % of patients at the time of the first visit to our hospital and also patients' symptoms were frequently related with the infection. Forty-one cases (48 %) were fistula, 21 (25 %) were cysts, 21 (25 %) were sinuses, and two were only cartilage remnants. The most common type of the branchial anomalies is the second branchial fistula and the most common symptoms of the anomalies are related with infection. Initial proper diagnosis and anatomical classification of the anomalies are very important in managing the lesions. The efforts to find the exact anatomical location of the fistula or sinus tract are necessary because total excision of the lesions including those tracts is the only way to prevent recurrence.