[Intraoperative cholangiography by laparoscopy. Why and how to do it?]

Intraoperative cholangiography under fluoroscopic control is a fundamental step in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Its two principal objectives are delineation of the anatomy of the biliary tree, and detection of stones within the main bile duct. Cannulation of the cystic duct is possible in 90% cases. The ability to detect common duct stones is excellent and offers the benefit of treatment of choledocholithiasis with a single operative procedure. We encourage the systematic performance of intraoperative cholangiography because it permits a diminution of both the incidence and severity of injuries to the biliary ductal system.