Routine intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Objectives: The present study analyses the value of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) performed in all patients during 22 years of surgical activity in three different Institutions and, as a result a continuous scientific concern on the matter, we developed a set of criteria that are analysed and discussed. Materials and methods:We studied the patients subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in three hospitals between January 1995 and December 2017.A group of patients were analysed, IOC was performed in all cases.Results: we had a positive results of common bile duct stones (CBDS) unsuspected in more than 10%, a finding that changed surgical management of patient after IOC.This procedure required a median period of 10 minutes and there were no complications caused by IOC.Conclusions: Intraoperative cholangiography performed routinely represents an important tool in diagnosing unsuspected Common Bile Duct Stones (CBDS) during LC.This attitude has prevented further surgical treatment for all patients with asymptomatic biliary calculosis.