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Operative choledochoscopy: common bile duct exploration is incomplete without it.
1Department of Surgery, Colchester General Hospital, Essex, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Operative choledochoscopy, using rigid or flexible instruments, is effective for common bile duct exploration. This review highlights its low retained stone rates, supporting its mandatory use.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Endoscopy
Background:
- Operative choledochoscopy is an endoscopic procedure used during common bile duct exploration.
- Advancements in technology have led to the development of both rigid and flexible choledochoscopes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the reported experience and outcomes of operative choledochoscopy.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of rigid and flexible choledochoscopes in identifying and clearing retained stones.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of reported experiences with operative choledochoscopy.
- Analysis of retained stone rates for both rigid and flexible choledochoscope use.
Main Results:
- Retained stones were found in 3.6% of explorations using rigid choledochoscopes (97/2712).
- Retained stones were found in 2.0% of explorations using flexible choledochoscopes (35/1726).
Conclusions:
- Choledochoscopy demonstrates a low incidence of retained stones.
- The findings support the routine incorporation of choledochoscopy into common bile duct exploration procedures.