Chromic suture material as a nidus for common duct stone formation

Several surgeons have reported finding silk suture material as a nidus for common duct stones after cholecystectomy. They have therefore advocated the use of chromic sutures to ligate the cystic duct in order to avoid this complication. A case report is presented in which chromic suture material was found to be the source of common duct stone formation after cholecystectomy. A review of the literature indicated the relative infrequency of foreign suture material causing this problem. The suture used in the routine ligation of the cystic duct should be left to the technical preference of the surgeon.