Dr. Nguyen Do Trong, from the Pediatric Surgery Department of Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, reported that An had a congenital duplicated intestinal cyst located at the end of her ileum, measuring 15x20 mm. The cyst shared the same blood supply and structure as the adjacent healthy intestinal tissue. Without surgical intervention, the cyst's growth could compress other organs, potentially leading to intestinal volvulus (twisted bowel), intussusception (telescoping of the intestines), bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, or even bowel perforation.

Dr. Trong and his team successfully removed An's cyst laparoscopically in a 90-minute procedure. This minimally invasive approach resulted in a smaller, more aesthetically pleasing incision and less postoperative pain. After five days, An recovered well and was discharged.

Dr. Trong (center) and the surgical team operating on the patient. Illustrative photo: Dinh Lam

Duplicated intestinal cysts are congenital malformations, either tubular or spherical, located in the digestive tract, most commonly in the ileum, jejunum, colon, stomach, and duodenum. According to Dr. Trong, this condition occurs in approximately one out of every 4,500 births and is more prevalent in boys. Prenatal ultrasounds can only detect about 30% of cases due to the cyst's structural similarity to surrounding intestinal tissue.

The cause of this condition remains unknown. Symptoms typically manifest within the first two years of a child's life, with abdominal pain being the most common. Other symptoms vary depending on the cyst's location. Cysts in the foregut can cause difficulty swallowing and vomiting. Cysts in the midgut and hindgut can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Dr. Trong advises parents to closely monitor their children's health. Regular check-ups can help detect such conditions early. Children exhibiting these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

Hoai Thuong