Walailak University Hospital, in collaboration with Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital, has successfully performed surgery on a 34-year-old female patient with a choledochal cyst, marking an important milestone in the advancement of hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HPB) surgery services in Upper Southern Thailand.
A choledochal cyst is a rare congenital abnormality of the biliary system that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. In this case, the procedure was particularly challenging due to the patient’s complex anatomical variations, requiring highly specialized surgical planning and expertise.
To ensure the best possible outcome, a multidisciplinary surgical team was formed through collaboration between the two institutions. The team included Dr. Surawitch Sawathanon, a hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon from Walailak University Hospital, and Dr. Phongwisi Phongsutham, a hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon from Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital. Together, they carefully planned and performed the procedure.
The surgery involved the complete removal of the abnormal bile duct while preserving the surrounding tissues and vital structures. A new biliary drainage pathway was then reconstructed by connecting the bile duct directly to the small intestine. The procedure required a high level of precision, meticulous surgical technique, and extensive expertise, particularly owing to the patient’s unusual anatomical structure. In this case, the patient recovered well following the surgery and has returned to her normal daily activities.
This achievement demonstrates the growing capability of Walailak University Hospital and Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital in managing complex surgical conditions and highlights the strength of inter-institutional collaboration in specialized medical care. It also enhances access to high-quality, advanced treatment for patients in Nakhon Si Thammarat and neighboring areas, reducing the need for referral to distant tertiary care centers.
