Endoscopic cholangiography, sphincterotomy and stone removal prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy

ABSTRACT

Twenty four patients with common bile duct [CBD] stones were studied. They were diagnosed among 250 patients with cholelithiasis presented to the hospital for laparoscopic cholecystectomy over year [9.6%]. Liver profile revealed 3 or more elevated parameters in 15 patients [62.5%], whereas ultrasound was successful to reveal the presence of CBD stones in all of them [100%]. Endoscopic cholangiography was successful in 22 cases [91.67%] and proved the presence of stones in their common bile ducts. Stones were removed in 20 patients [83.33% of total and 90.91% of the successful cases]. The other 4 cases had open cholecystectomy with exploration of CBD and stone removal. The limited period of hospitalization and subsequent disability related to this approach render it as a good alternative to the management of choledocholithiasis combined with cholelithiasis