Background
Hydatid disease is relatively uncommon in children and thus rarely reported in literature. Pediatric patients with large hydatid cysts can have grave complications due to mass effect. Postoperative bile leak is the most common morbidity and continues to be a challenge for the treating surgeon.
Case presentation
A 7-year-old boy diagnosed with a giant hydatid cyst of the liver, almost replacing the right lobe, and underwent a laparotomy and excision of cyst with tube drainage. He developed postoperative major bile leak which did not subside even after a redo laparotomy and closure of the suspected bile leak areas. The child underwent a third laparotomy after a hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HIDA scan) which confirmed a persisting major leak. A Roux En Y cystojejunostomy was done this time which drained the bile adequately postoperatively with no evidence of bile in the subhepatic drain. Oral feeds were resumed on the fifth postoperative day. He was discharged in a satisfactory condition and is doing well in the follow-up. Repeat HIDA scan showed no evidence of spillage, with adequate bilio-enteric drainage.
Conclusion
Persistent major bile leak requiring ERCP with sphincterotomy can be managed successfully in children by internal drainage as Roux En Y cystojejunostomy.