title: Transduodenal exploration of the common bile duct in a district general hospital.
abstract: In an 8 year period 214 transduodenal explorations were undertaken in a district general hospital. These were performed on 208 patients and in 40 instances a combined supraduodenal and transduodenal approach was employed. There were 23 deaths in 208 patients, a mortality of 11%. Twelve deaths occurred in 64 patients who underwent negative exploration. Postoperative pancreatitis was the most common cause of death and the occurrence resulted in a 53% mortality. We conclude that the transduodenal operation should only be performed by experienced surgeons with definite proof of common bile duct stone, and when the standard supraduodenal approach is unsatisfactory.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D004386:Duodenum; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality