Pre-operative infusion cholangiography compared to routine operative cholangiography at elective cholecystectomy

Routine operative cholangiography (group 1) was compared with pre-operative intravenous infusion cholangiography and selective operative cholangiography (group 2) in 200 patients subjected to elective cholecystectomy. All patients were examined with pre-operative intravenous infusion cholangiography. In group 1 patients, this examination was not made available to the surgeon and not used in any way except for a later analysis. Thirteen patients had to be excluded for different reasons. In group 1, normal operative cholangiograms were obtained in 82/94 cases. Choledocholithotomy was performed in 7/12 cases, choledochotomy in 2/12 and no exploration in 3/12 cases. In group 2, pathological or inconclusive infusion cholangiograms were demonstrated in 17/91 cases. Choledocholithotomy was performed in 11/17 cases. One of 17 patients was subjected to choledochotomy only. In 5/17 patients, no exploration was carried out because of normal operative cholangiography. No residual or retained stone/s have been revealed during a follow-up period of 1 year. The general clinical outcome in the two groups of patients was similar. Significantly shorter operative time was an important advantage of the strategy in group 2 patients.