Dilatation of the common channel in pediatric congenital biliary dilatation remaining after radical operation

Background In congenital biliary dilatation, the protein plug is likely impacted, especially in a dilated common channel. However, nobody has discussed whether this dilatation of common channel remains after radical operation. The aim of this study was to investigate the situation of the dilated common channel after radical operation. Methods The status of the common channel was investigated at radical operation and follow‐up. We then evaluated whether dilation of the common channel remained postoperatively. Moreover, the association between status of the common channel and postoperative pancreatic complication was evaluated. Results Postoperative condition of the common channel was able to be evaluated ultrasonographically in 42 patients. The common channel was dilated at the time of operation in 18 patients and remained dilated postoperatively in 11 of these 18 patients. Dilatation of the common channel was not identified in any patients without dilatation at the time of operation. No patients in this series showed any postoperative pancreatic complications, even if a dilated common channel remained. Conclusions Dilatation of the common channel can remain postoperatively in congenital biliary dilatation, but does not appear to be associated with postoperative pancreatic complications. Highlight Fukuzawa and colleagues showed that dilatation of the common channel can remain long after radical surgery for congenital biliary dilatation in children. The common channel might, therefore, have been dilated congenitally. Moreover, the remaining common channel dilatation does not represent a key cause of protein plug formation or pancreatic complications.