Routine operative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: feasibility and value in 107 patients.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is becoming a popular alternative to open cholecystectomy. However, the technical aspects of this new procedure increase the risk of injuring the bile ducts. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and value of performing cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and operative cholangiographic findings of the first 107 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal between August 1990 and August 1991.


RESULTS
Operative cholangiography was attempted in 98% of patients; the success rate was 71%. Eight anatomic anomalies of the biliary tract that were of surgical importance were found as well as 10 cases of stones in the common bile duct, eight of which were unsuspected. No biliary tract injuries occurred. With experience, surgical cannulation of the cystic duct for injection of contrast material can be done quickly without major difficulty, and cholangiograms of excellent diagnostic quality can be obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that operative cholangiography is feasible and useful in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Department of Radiology, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, University of Montréal, Québec, Canada.
I
I
Van Campenhout
O
O
Prosmanne
M
M
Gagner
A
A
Pomp
E
E
Deslandres
H P
HP
Lévesque
D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000293:injuries; D002758:Cholangiography; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000293:injuries; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors