Bile duct cysts. Experience with 15 patients.

Fifteen patients, all of whom underwent surgery at this institution from 1955 to 1981, were included in this study. Bile duct cysts were classified into Types I to V to include cysts of the intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts. The association of this entity with other congenital abnormalities is discussed. Carcinoma of the biliary tree occurred in two cases. The treatment of this condition is surgical. Excision is preferred whenever technically possible; otherwise a bypass procedure is performed. The technique of excision described by Lilly [32,34] is preferred because it is safer, decreasing the risk of injury to the hepatic artery and portal vein. Controversy continues regarding the procedure of choice.