Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026
Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration in Patients with a Previous History of Biliary Tract Surgery
Published on: February 10, 2023
One hundred consecutive laparoscopic cholangiograms. Results and conclusions
B J Carroll1, E H Phillips, R Rosenthal
1Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
Background:
In 100 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the feasibility, reliability, and cost of routine laparoscopic cholangiography were prospectively studied.
Methods:
Fluoroscopic cholangiograms with multiple exposures were successfully completed in all patients in an average time of 6.9 min.
Results:
Twenty-one percent were abnormal, and 15 common duct stones and 6 significant anatomic anomalies detected. Thirteen out of 15 patients with common duct stones had preoperative suspicion of common duct stones. Two out of 15 were completely unsuspected. The average cost of cholangiography was $768, and there were no complications related to the procedure. There were no false interpretations.
Conclusions:
When compared with selective preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), routine laparoscopic cholangiography is safer, more accurate, and less costly, and may have the added benefit of potentially reducing iatrogenic injuries in patients with anatomic variations. Routine laparoscopic cholangiography should be considered by all surgeons.
