[Laparoscopic endoscopy: a new type of combined technique for select patients]

The authors report a new method which was introduced last year in their unit. In a significant part of cholecystolithiasis, choledocholithiasis also exists. The diagnosis is sometimes fairly difficult, in these cases newly developed imaging methods (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasonography) can help. In cases of choledocholithiasis, when preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is unsuccessful, laparoscopic endoscopy can be performed. Authors describe this method as well as discuss the international literature, and review the cases of their own ten cases with this method. They emphasize the advantages of the new method in a certain subgroup of patients against the traditional sequential approach (preoperative ERCP than laparoscopic cholecystectomy) and also share their technical experiences. Finally, they underline the importance of the team work which supposes the cooperation of the gastroenterologist, surgeon and anesthesiologist in the indication, organization and implementation of the intervention.