Intraoperative cholangiography in videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy: indications, advantages, and limitations

Consensus doesn't exist about the intraoperative cholangiography specially if is need in every one laparoscopic cholecystectomy either exclusively in case of anatomical doubts or suspect of injures or stones of the common duct. We have considered 450 patient subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy during 1992-2000. Patients suspicious to be affected by common duct lithiasis (28 cases) are subjected to ERCP with cleaning of the biliary tree. In 18 patients (4%) it has been necessary the laparotomic conversion; 176 patients (39%) have been subjected to intraoperative cholangiography, selected on anatomical regional disposition or anamnesis and biochemical and instrumental results (history of jaundice or gallstones pancreatitis, abnormal serum level of the biliary stasis biochemistry, common bile duct major of 8 mm, michrolitiasis of the gallbladder). In 7 cases (4%) we have discovered common bile duct stones. We don't attempt intraoperative cholangiography in every one laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but only in cases where we suspect presence of common bile duct stones either iatrogenic injuries or when we retain it necessary to clarify the regional anatomy. Unlikely just in patients where would be more useful, causes major risk of intra- and post-operative complications, it is very difficult, often impossible, to attempt the intraoperative cholangiography. Routinary employing of the intraoperative cholangiography could be useful just for a little number of patients, while selective employing reduce 60% the X-ray. Collaboration with the radiologist is able to reduce the mistaken on the interpretation of the radiograms.