Role of intraoperative cholangiography in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The results of a policy of selective cholangiography were assessed in 400 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed in 81 patients (20 per cent) of whom 31 (38 per cent) showed definite or possible evidence of stones in the bile duct. Seventeen of the 400 patients underwent intraoperative cholangiography and the majority of these (12) were normal. After a minimum follow-up of 1 year, 17 patients (4 per cent) have had ERCP for suspected residual duct stones. Eight (2 per cent) of these revealed stones and all were successfully treated with sphincterotomy and duct clearance. Preoperative and postoperative ERCP was not associated with mortality or major morbidity. No major duct injury occurred and none was diagnosed within 2 years of operation. Routine intraoperative cholangiography is not a necessary part of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the presence of an efficient and safe ERCP service.