[Extraction of cystic duct occlusion calculus in laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

Occluding stones left in the stumpf of the cystic duct may account for between 17% and 25% of the cases of post-cholecystectomy syndrome. When acutely inflamed or empyemic gallbladders are removed, an occlusive cystic duct stone must almost always be expected. When performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, therefore, care must be taken to ensure that any stone occluding the cystic duct are detected and removed. After completely freeing the cystic duct to the point of its junction with the common bile duct, it is carefully "palpated" with a 5 mm forceps for the presence of stones. Any such present are pressed out of the duct through a transverse incision, and retrieved. Bile reflux through the incision in the duct indicates freedom from stones. Finally, intraoperative cholangiography can be performed.