title: Operative cholangiography.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky 40292.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Shively
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wieman
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Romines
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Garrison
mesh_terms: 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