The application of choledochofiberscope in treatment of retained hepatobiliary lithiasis / 临床外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To improve the cure rate of hepatobiliary lithiasis.Methods Two hundred and seventy-five patients with retained gallstones in the hepatic bile ducts after choledochostomy were treated with choledochofiberscope from August 1989 to August 2001 in this hospital.Results In 252 cases(91.6%), the residual gallstones were thoroughly removed with choledochoscope and in remaining 23 cases(8.4%), the stones were not completely removed. The factors affecting the results of the procedures include improper locating of T-tube, the exfoliation of T-tube and closure of fistula, the size and the incarceration of retained gallstones, the narrowed bile ducts, the performance of intraoperative choledochoscope, the method of operation.Conclusions Choledochofiberscope is of great value in surgical treatment of hepatobiliary lithiasis. However it can't completely replace to remove the damaged liver caused by the gallstones.