Is there a role for routine intraoperative cholangiogram in diagnosing CBD stones in patients with normal liver function tests? A prospective study

Abstract

Cholecystectomy with or without intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) is an accepted treatment for cholelithiasis. Up to 11.6 % of cholecystectomies have incidental common bile duct (CBD) stones on IOC and 25.3 % of undiagnosed CBD stones will develop life-threatening complications. These will require additional intervention after primary cholecystectomy, further straining the healthcare system. We seek to examine the role of IOC in patients with normal LFTs by evaluating its predictive values, intending to treat undiagnosed CBD stones and therefore ameliorate these issues.

Keywords

• choledocholithiasis
• cholangiography
• cholecystectomy
• common bile duct gallstones
• liver function tests