The value of abdominal exploration during cholecystectomy

With the advent of 'minimal access' cholecystectomy patients no longer have an exploratory laparotomy at the time of the operation and it is possible that relevant pathology may be missed as a result. This study analyses the findings at exploratory laparotomy in 223 patients undergoing open cholecystectomy. Forty-two patients (19%) were found to have incidental pathology but in only three (1.3%) did this lead to additional operative procedures. We therefore conclude that the loss of exploratory laparotomy at cholecystectomy does not have a significant detrimental effect on patient care.