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Abstract Background To present a modified laparoscopic surgical technique that works to optimize the surgical view in laparoscopic total excision of choledochal cyst in pediatric patients. Methods From June 2015 to June 2017, a total of 48 pediatric cases of choledochal cyst were admitted. Their age ranged from 15 month to 8 years (average 3.5 years). The Todani types were: type I (n = 32) and type IVa (n = 16), according to the diagnostic criteria of ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Results Total cystic excision with hepaticoenterostomy was accomplished laparoscopically in 48 cases with our transumbilical single -incision method without conversion to open surgery. Average duration of operation was 200 min (range 170–240 min), average intraoperative blood loss was 9 ml (range 6–14 ml) without the need for blood transfusion. The 72-h postoperative ultrasound reported no abdominal effusion, when the intraperitoneal drainage tube was removed. There was no postoperative complication during the 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions We accomplished the same postoperative outcome in laparoscopic total cyst excision with our modified method as that with conventional laparoscopic surgery. This technique allows the operator to have a stabilized surgical view without needing to rely on an assistant to hold up the liver lobe for larger operative space.