Intraoperative cholangiography: use of portable fluoroscopy and transmitted images.

Overview

Intraoperative cholangiograms were obtained with portable fluoroscopy in 53 patients during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the images were transmitted to the radiology department. Each image was assessed for diagnostic quality and bile duct abnormalities (eg, retained stones and duct aberrancies). The aberrancy rate was 5.7% with the aberrant duct in the region of surgical dissection. The fluoroscopic technique provided diagnostic images with the advantage of real-time visualization, immediate communication with the surgeon, and the potential to decrease the risk of bile duct injury.