title: [Bile duct diameter before and 12 years after cholecystectomy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgeons and radiologists commonly believe that common bile duct dilates after cholecystectomy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure common bile tract diameter before and 12 years after a cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study of 85 patients (aged 20 to 71 years, 68 females) subjected to a cholecystectomy and followed for 12 years. AH were asymptomatic and had abdominal ultrasound to measure common bile duct diameter, seven days before and 12 years after the surgical procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Common bile duct diameter before and 12 years after surgery was 4.6+0.9 and 5.0+1.8 cm respectively (p=NS) among 69 patients aged inverted exclamation markess than 60 years. The figures for 16 patients aged more than 60 years were 5+0.8 and 6.7+1.9 (p <0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among patients below 60 years of age there is no significant change in bile duct diameter 12 years after surgery. In subjects over 60 years of age there is a significant increase in this diameter.
authors.affiliation: Departamentos de Radiología, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Csendes G
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Csendes J
authors.forename: Ana María
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Burgos L
authors.forename: Patricio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burdiles P
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography