Choledochoscopy in exploration of the common bile duct

The technique of operative fibreoptic choledochoscopy is described; the results are reported in 88 patients with gallstones requiring exploration of the common bile duct. There were no cases of retained calculi that were endoscopically undetected. Postoperative T-tube cholangiography was carried out in 81 cases and confirmed the findings of operative biliary endoscopy in all cases. Choledochoscopy is an accurate and safe operative procedure which can eliminate the problem of undetected residual calculi.