Common bile duct exploration in a Libyan hospital. Utilization of choledochoscopy in an effort to improve results

Over a three-year period, 849 patients had a cholecystectomy for gallstones, at the Central Hospital, Tripoli, Libya. In 133 patients the common bile duct was explored. Under the particular circumstances in which the operation is performed, choledochoscopy was shown to have important advantages to the patient in both locating common duct stones and in ensuring that none is left behind.