Operative choledochoscopy: experience with a rigid choledochoscope

The use of a choledochoscope after exploration of the common bile ducts should minimize the occurrence of retained common bile duct stones. Experience gained at 50 endoscopies with a rigid choledochoscope is reviewed. In 7 cases stones or debris were found remaining in the bile duct. In one case an unsuspected neoplasm was demonstrated and in another a suspected neoplastic stricture was confirmed. In the remaining 41 cases choledochoscopy showed the ducts to be free of stones. Postoperative cholangiography demonstrated a retained stone in 2 cases. There were 2 deaths in the series. The experience of other authors with rigid and flexible scopes is reviewed.