[Advantages and disadvantages of general radiomanometry in biliary surgery]

The records of 1459 cholecystectomies from 1975 through 1980 were reviewed and the data of the separate one-year periods compared. The use of operative cholangiography rose progressively from 31 to 91% and this change was associated with an increase of common-duct stones and a decrease in number of unnecessary choledochotomies. There was an increasing number of patients undergoing probing of the common duct. Sphincterotomies averaged 10% and there was an average of 3.49% of primary stenosis of the papilla of Vater. Overall mortality was 1.09% for cholecystectomy alone, 3.91% when choledochotomy was done and 4.26% for sphincterotomy.