Anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary duct without choledochal cyst: is cholecystectomy alone sufficient?

Purpose Anomalous union of the pancreaticobiliary duct (AUPBD) is frequently associated with choledochal cyst and biliary tract cancers. Management of AUPBD with choledochal cyst consists of extrahepatic bile duct excision and cholecystectomy. In cases of AUPBD without choledochal cyst, cholecystectomy alone is usually recommended. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of biliary tract cancer in AUPBD patients in order to assess the validity of the currently recommended operative management.