Laparoscopic versus conventional cholecystectomy. Use of biliary scintigraphy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a popular alternative to traditional open cholecystectomy for uncomplicated, acute cholecystitis. At some centers, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is already the more frequently performed procedure. The presence or suspicion of common bile duct (CBD) stones or obstruction may necessitate conventional surgery or additional procedures. This report describes a patient with acute cholecystitis for whom the surgical management changed based on biliary scintigraphy. The demonstration of an unsuspected CBD obstruction by biliary imaging allowed the surgeon to change the initial plan for laparoscopic cholecystectomy to conventional open surgery. Stones in the common bile duct were removed.