Laparoscopis cholecystectomy: Evaluation with Ultrasonography

ABSTRACT

To determine the postoperative appearance of the gallbladder bed and the significance of fluid collections after surgery, a routine postoperative scanning with ultrasound of the right upper quadrant was performed for 40 patients 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC]. The location, volume and appearances of fluid collection were recorded. The maximum diameter of the common bile duct was measured in all patients and compared with the preoperative measurements. The minimal fluid collections were identified in the gallbladder fossa and/or peritoneal cavity in 30 patients. Fluid collections were not associated with fever or elevated white blood cell count. In six patients, the diameter of the common bile duct increased on the postoperative scan. This was not associated with an elevation in alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin levels. Thirty-six patients were discharged in the first postoperative day. So, routine postoperative ultrasound is important in the evaluation of patients who had had laparoscopic cholecystectomy