[Phenoperidine and operative common bile duct pressure (author's transl)]

The pressure variations registered in the common bile duct, after injection of phenoperidine (0,033 mg/kg) during sixteen anaesthesias performed for cholecystectomy, showed no significant modifications. In one case a spasm of the common bile duct was observed before analgesic administration which induced no change in the biliary pressure, an inhalation of amyl nitrite made it possible to affirm the functional character of the anomaly. The analgesic anaesthesia using phenoperidine, method chosen for high-risk patients, is compatible with bile duct surgery without risk of bringing about unnecessary surgical procedures.