Significance of per-operative cholangiography in the management of gallbladder disease.

Abstract

The therapeutic significance of peroperative cholangiography is still a matter of dispute, major objections to its application being the high frequency of diagnostic difficulties and incorrect interpretations and the amount of delay caused during the operation. Before proceeding to a discussion of our own results, it may be useful to include a brief description of the type of cholangiography routinely performed in the course of cholecystectomy for gallbladder disease at the surgical department of St. Canisius Hospital. Technique of Peroperative Cholangiography The patient on the operating table is placed on a flat cassette tunnel so as to facilitate insertion of an x-ray plate with Lisholm screen at the level of the area of operation. After opening of the abdominal cavity and exploratory examination of the gallbladder and surrounding abdominal organs, the biliary tree is carefully dissected and the cystic duct ligated as far proximal as possible to the gallbladder. Through