Operative cholangiography.
The value of operative cholangiography in the management of biliary tract disease has been questioned. To better define the role of cholangiography, we reviewed 579 consecutive cholecystectomies done by 1 group of surgeons in a small rural practice over 8 years. Cholangiography demonstrated unsuspected common bile duct disease in 5% of the procedures, while 12% of the patients were spared an unnecessary choledochotomy after a normal cholangiogram was obtained. There was no morbidity, mortality, or prolongation of the hospital stay attributed to the cholangiographic procedure. These findings bolster the argument for routine cholangiography as a safe, effective, and helpful screening examination for patients who are at risk for having common bile duct disease.
Shively
E H
EH
Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky 40292.
Wieman
T J
TJ
Adams
A L
AL
Romines
R B
RB
Garrison
R N
RN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002758:Cholangiography / Q000379:methods*; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health