Value of early cholescintigraphy in detection of biliary complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Cholescintigraphy using technetium-99m disofenin tracer is accepted as a routine component of preoperative evaluation of the biliary tract in selected patients but is not used regularly in postoperative management. This is a retrospective analysis of the utility of the nuclide scan in 27 patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Most patients had vague postoperative symptoms such as nausea, pain, and low grade fever. Two patients developed jaundice. Seven of the 27 patients had biliary leaks, and two had common bile duct obstructions. We conclude that cholescintigraphy is a sensitive noninvasive test for the evaluation of biliary complications after LC and is a pivotal component of an algorithmic approach to postoperative complications. Because of the subtle clinical findings and the potential for delayed diagnosis of biliary complications after LC, early performance of this test will minimize patient morbidity.
Kulber
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DA
Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048.
Berci
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Paz-Partlow
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Ashok
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Hiatt
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JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007098:Imino Acids; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019785:Technetium Tc 99m Disofenin; D013997:Time Factors
D007098:Imino Acids; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D019785:Technetium Tc 99m Disofenin