[Laparoscopy in diseases of the extrahepatic bile ducts]

Nearly regularly the laparoscopy gives the possibility of a free vision to the gall-bladder and a reliable judgment of pathologic changes. Indications are above all clarification of the causes of cholestase, negative cholangiogram, relapsing, particularly bland chronic cholecystitis. Apart from its diagnositsc evidence the laparoscopy is able to give references to the further therapeutic approach. Laparoscopy is further indicated in suspicion of a malignant tumour. The direct and transhepatic puncture of the gall-bladder for the radiological description of the biliary ducts was no more dealt with; ERC and PTC are to be preferred to these methods.