[Diagnostic and therapeutic value of intraoperative choledochoscopy. Experience in 600 common bile duct explorations]

The management of choledocholithiasis has been greatly improved by recent technological advances such as X-ray and endoscopy of the biliary tract. During the past 10 years the common bile duct has been explored in 600 operations. The incidence of retained stones was reduced to only one stone in 76 explorations. The procedure was carried out without increasing the complication rate beyond that of a standard choledochotomy.